New Mercedes 4MATIC for S-Class

Comfort and driving dynamics attain new level of perfection

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now available with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive. Developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-Benz, this all-new drive system combines perfect traction, first-class comfort and impressive driving dynamics with good fuel economy. Two powerful eight-cylinder models are available in the form of the S 500 4MATIC and S 450 4MATIC while the S 320 CDI 4MATIC is the first S-Class all-wheel-drive variant to be equipped with a particularly economical V6 diesel engine. The new models with all-wheel drive are identified clearly by the 4MATIC legend which appears both on the boot lid and on the wooden trim element on the centre console.

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very nice pictures..check em out..
ohh and its gr8 that they offer this now.. good for swedish folks

I think 4-Matic should be offered on the S600 and S65 models.

Wohoo! The best just got better.

Never. Too many purists would disagree. Me also, 600 Mercedes and AMG should be all about RWD.

Great news that the 4-matic models are no longer stuck with the old 5 speed. Now if the new S 600 and S65 could join the ranks of 7-speeders...

Perhaps purists would disagree with the S600 and S65 having 4-matic available, however, they are the models that would need it most. At least the 600 could take the image "hit" better, since it is a "standard" model (not an AMG).

A bona fide performance awd version could be developed by AMG exclusively for handling, however, to overcome the traction problems that its most powerful models have. This system would be completely of a different personality from 4-matic (which is mainly for snow-ridden regions, and not at all in the likeness of Audi's Quatro system). THe AMG boss has hinted that if demand asked for it, they would be ready to accomodate.

I disagree

I agree

I get the feeling that when you guys say that the S should be strictly rwd, you are talking about tire-shredding, tail spinnin, and crazy handling and all, which the S, frankly does well, but does not have as a fundamental part of the personality. Now, 4-matic is truly only appealing to those using it in snow, with its 45/55 torque split and all. The awd im talking about is ala lamborghini where most of the time the entire power is routed through the rear wheels, but on demand, a healthy dose is applied to the forward ones, as in a case of, oh lets say, a pedal to the metal moment in the S65. AMG has the balls to come up with something like that, i believe.

Further more, Mercedes has already demonstrated their intention of taking part in every little niche in the market. Why let Bentley, Audi, and to some extent, VW, still have an edge when it comes to high performance all wheel drive on their top models? Frankly, a 65 AMG is not the friendliest auto under most conditions. a performance oriented Awd system would ice that cake... just my humble opinion.

Dude...I think Mercedes should build a system like R34-GTR where it's like fully wicked and all four wheels can turn...now that is something that they can put on the 65AMG models and will be very exclusive....

Exactly my point Pagani, well spoken . 4-Matic should be offered as an option which would put The S65 (and S600) right in line with Bently and VW.