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New Mercedes 4Matic Models Available

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 24, 2005 at 9:20 AM CST

Mercedes has announced today that both the E 280 CDI and the E 320  
CDI willl be available with the permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC  
system. With the addition of these models, Mercedes now offers  
customers a choice of 10 all-wheel drive E-Class variants, and 37 all- 
wheel drive models total.

If you're unfamiliar with 4MATIC, it's Mercedes' all wheel drive  
system that transmits power continuously to both the front and rear  
axles at a ratio of 40 to 60%.  Mercedes' has also added an  
Electronic Traction System (4ETS), which operates without  
conventional differential locks.  Instead, 4ETS applies controlled  
amounts of braking pressure to spinning wheels and simultaneously  
increases the amount of power sent to the wheels with good traction.   
By utilizing this system, Mercedes has greatly improved the comfort  
and handling of 4MATIC models over other standard four-wheel drive  
vehicles.

To learn more about the new E-Class 4MATIC models, you can check out  
the full press release below. If you'd like to learn more about the  
4MATIC system, Mercedes has a short video detailing how it works,  
which you can view here.   For more Mercedes-Benz news and  
information, visit eMercedesBenz at www.eMercedesBenz.com


E 280 CDI And E 320 CDI Now Available With Permanent All-Wheel Drive:  
E-Class: New V6 Models With 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive


Stuttgart, Oct 24, 2005

All V6 CDI models of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are now available with  
4MATIC. In the E 280 CDI 4MATIC and E 320 CDI 4MATIC, high propulsive  
force is provided by state-of-the-art diesel engines generating 140  
kW/190 hp and 165 kW/224 hp respectively. Both of the CDI six  
cylinder engines are available for saloon and estate models and come  
with a diesel particulate filter as standard. Together with the three  
petrol engine versions E 280 4MATIC, E 350 4MATIC and E 500 4MATIC,  
ten all-wheel drive variants of the successful E-Class are now  
available.

The combination of V6 CDI engines and permanent all-wheel drive  
fulfils many drivers’ wish for a powerful yet economical long-haul  
car that is suited to all weather conditions. The new E 280 CDI  
4MATIC and E 320 CDI 4MATIC versions are the perfect choice for such  
motorists.

The advanced V6 turbo diesel engines with third-generation common- 
rail direct injection guarantee supreme driving performance and high  
fuel efficiency. At the same time, the intelligent interplay between  
4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, the standard-feature Electronic  
Stability Program (ESP®) and the Electronic Traction System (4ETS)  
ensures that vehicle occupants travel safely in all weather  
conditions. Like all other Mercedes-Benz diesel-powered passenger  
cars the E 280 CDI 4MATIC and the E 320 CDI 4MATIC are equipped with  
the maintenance-free particulate filter as standard in Germany,  
Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

4MATIC all-wheel drive system dispenses with conventional  
differential locks

In the new all-wheel drive versions of the E-Class, power is  
transmitted continuously to the front and rear axles in a ratio of 40  
to 60 percent. The Electronic Traction System (4ETS) ensures typical  
Mercedes standards of ride comfort. This is because it operates  
without conventional differential locks, which adversely affect the  
comfort and handling of other four-wheel drive cars. 4ETS applies  
controlled amounts of braking pressure to spinning wheels and  
simultaneously increases the amount of power sent to the wheels with  
good traction. In this way the electronic traction control system  
achieves the same effect as three differential locks. Both 4MATIC  
diesel models are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission  
as standard.

Great diversity: Mercedes-Benz offers 37 different all-wheel drive  
models

The range of all-wheel drive vehicles offered by Mercedes-Benz  
consists of five models that feature an impressive level of  
diversity: Besides the C- and E-Class, which are available as saloons  
and estate cars with 4MATIC, and the new R-Class, which comes with  
two body variants, Mercedes also offers this year’s new M-Class and  
the G-Class classic off-roader. All in all, Mercedes-Benz therefore  
offers a total of 37 different all-wheel drive models.

In this way, Mercedes-Benz is setting new trends in the growth market  
for four-wheel drive cars and off-road vehicles. Demand for all-wheel  
drive vehicles has particularly increased in the E-Class segment. All- 
wheel-drive vehicles’ share of the German market, for example, rose  
from seven percent in 2002 to 12 percent in 2004. In Europe as a  
whole, this share increased from six to ten percent during the same  
time period. And Mercedes-Benz is now generating additional momentum  
with the all-new R-Class, an all-wheel drive Grand Sports Tourer that  
combines the benefits of existing vehicle types - such as sporty  
saloons, estate cars, vans and sports utility vehicles (SUV) - into a  
completely individual profile.



To view pictures of the new 4Matic Models, click below:

http://emercedesbenz.com/Oct05/24New4Matic%20ModelsAvailable.html