'Year of the SUV' pays tribute to MB 4MATIC breakthrough

German automaker Mercedes Benz's "Year of the SUV" coincides with the launch of its new generation Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV, hitherto the M-Class.

The M-Class established the premium SUV segment with its launch in 1997, and had since become one of the company's most successful models globally.

The new generation GLE has all the ingredients to continue the success story of this best-selling model: State-of-the-art drive technology, superior ride quality, versatility, and robustness typical for SUVs.

The model's confident appearance is enhanced with stylistic features typical of its heritage. The characteristic C-pillar and the harmoniously integrated rear side window have been the hallmarks of this series right from 1997.

For years, Mercedes-Benz has seen successful in the premium SUV segment. Origins of that success can be traced to the launch of the M-Class. Production had soared with additional models filling out the market segment created by the M-Class. And all of them thrived on Mercedes-Benz's long history in all-wheel-drive technology and production, a heritage that dates back to 1903.

For over a hundred years, the all-wheel-drive technology has been used in a wide range of the company's models. Vehicles such as the G-Class even attained legendary status.

The "G" in G-Class stands for "Gelandewagen", German for off-road vehicle. For over 35 years, this model has been breaking new ground off the beaten track.

Today, its genes can be recognized in all SUVs from Mercedes-Benz, and they all pursue the same goal of being able to master any type of terrain.

With the introduction of its new nomenclature, Mercedes-Benz SUVs now carry a "G" in their name as a tribute to the legendary G-Class.

The "G" is always followed by an "L", and the third letter orients the SUV lineup based on the passenger car model range of Mercedes-Benz. Only the legendary G-Class sees its model designation unchanged, showing its special position as the progenitor of all modern SUVs and off-roaders.

Currently, the German premium automaker is holding a superb lineup of SUV models, most of which are hot sellers this year, such as the GLK SUV and the GLA SUV, and, of course, the GLE SUV, the latest member.

This year is not only witnessing the success of the Mercedes-Benz's SUV market performance in China but marking the 30th year of its advanced and successful 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system that has been extensively adopted in SUV models.

Paul Daimler, son of Daimler Motor Corporation's founder Gottlieb Daimler, headed the development of the world's first ever four-wheeldrive system in 1903, and, in 1907, installed it in Dernburg-Wagen, to create the world's first four-wheel drive vehicle.

This vehicle drove out of a city into farmland, mountains and even sandpits, leaving its footprint not only throughout Germany but as far as Africa.

Designed as

a passenger car

Although built on the basis of a truck, it was designed as a passenger car, making it the forefather of today's cars with 4MATIC drive. And, while the Dernburg was a far cry from the sleek designs which characterize modern-day Mercedes-Benz models, it was the first step towards an entirely new driving philosophy marked by rugged independence and off-road reliability.

The mid-20th century gave rise to the Mercedes 170, which featured the first-ever fully independent suspension system, allowing each wheel to respond individually.

In 1979, the first all-wheel-drive vehicle was born with the launch of the G-Class. This vehicle was used across a vast spectrum of applications.

It gained renown among the world's armed forces as it could climb an 80- gradient and drive almost on its side at a 54 percent angle.

Soon after, all-wheel-drive was introduced in Mercedes-Benz's passenger cars. At the 1985 IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt, engineers presented their new all-wheel-drive concept to the general public under the name of 4MATIC, featured in the W 124 E-Class model series.

Since then, Mercedes-Benz engineers have worked tirelessly to improve the 4MATIC system to offer the most dynamic yet safest off-road system possible.The past 30 years have yielded an incredible degree of progress.

Having done away with conventional differential locks, today's 4MATIC system is as light as a feather, so to speak, and guarantees optimum traction at all times, thanks to perfect coordination between individual wheels.

Incorporating a central differential in planetary configuration, the wheels with inadequate road grip automatically undergo specific braking while the drive torque on the wheels with good traction is increased.

These automatic braking impulses are applied by the system according to sensor data on the wheel speeds, the steering wheel angle, yawing and lateral acceleration of the vehicle. This drastically improves traction when starting off on slippery surfaces, and increases stability during critical driving maneuvers, effectively attaining the effect of three differential locks.

Today, 4MATIC is a core technology for a broad range of Mercedes-Benz SUV vehicles, numbering around 80 models worldwide. 4MATIC's permanent all-wheel-drive provides for added dynamism, comfort and safety on normal roads and cross-country terrain alike, and is a striking example of a case where technology and design meet at the intersection of comfort and practicality.

duxiaoying1@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/20/2015 page15)