The
Stuttgart-based brand
2008
2008
ZUR DEUTSCHEN
VERSION |
The GLK 4MATIC gets to grips with winter
Stuttgart/Hochgurgl
- Soon it will be time to head for the ski slopes again, and drivers of Mercedes
models with the permanent all-wheel-drive system 4MATIC can rest assured
as they set off en route to their chosen winter paradise.
Because the performance of the drive configuration
on roads affected by snow or ice is truly impressive. Mercedes-Benz is
demonstrating the high traction reserves coupled with excellent directional
stability and safety in the new GLK at its 4MATIC workshop. In extreme winter
conditions at a height of 2500 metres on the Austrian Timmelsjoch High Alpine
Road this compact SUV is demonstrating that its driving dynamics really are
in a class of their own. As is the case with 4MATIC's fine-tuning on a dry
or wet road, directional stability and therefore the active safety of the
GLK models is always to the fore when wintry conditions prevail, too. The
basic 4MATIC mechanism with a 45:55 percent torque split between the front
and rear axles along with the multiple-disc limited-slip centre differential
with a basic locking torque of 50 Nm adds up to an ideal solution. This basic
design delivers high traction since, on the one hand, the dynamic shift in
axle load toward the rear axle that occurs during acceleration is used to
deliver more drive torque to the rear. Meanwhile, the multiple-disc limited-slip
centre differential can also variably shift the drive torque from 30 to 70
or 70 to 30 percent between the front and rear axle, whenever the road conditions
so dictate. As such, the electronic control systems ESP®, 4ETS or ASR
can intervene as late as possible; the bulk of the torque is converted into
traction on slippery roads. All interventions go virtually unnoticed, but
the drivers are still informed immediately if they are driving on the limit.
In this case a yellow warning light flashes in the instrument panel - a clear
signal to adjust their driving style to the road conditions. The arrangement
featuring a permanent design mechanism has key advantages over other systems
that first need to diagnose a lack of traction before activating their 4x4
all-wheel drive. The 4MATIC on the GLK will have already made use of this
valuable time to transmit drive torque via the wheels to the road. |
4ETS: integrated "automatic start-off aid" for
ice and snow
When pulling away in wintry conditions the engineers
use the off-road algorithms on the GLK 4MATIC to develop optimum traction.
Certain road conditions are automatically detected and the interventions
of the 4ETS electronic traction control system adjusted so that as much
acceleration as possible can be achieved with minimal wheel slip, providing
optimum directional stability in the process. This strategy also allows the
vehicle to pull away under adverse conditions, such as when one side of the
vehicle is on an icy slope (the so-called µ-split) or both wheels on
the front or rear axle have limited grip (µ-jump). |
Stable conditions on wintry roads
On winding roads covered with snow and ice, vehicle stability is primarily
controlled by means of engine torque regulation in the acceleration skid
control system ASR. Taking into consideration the longitudinal and lateral
dynamics of the vehicle continuously determined by the ESP® sensor system,
the ASR control thresholds are adjusted according to the driving situation.
In order to ensure stable driving conditions, on winding roads the longitudinal
force must be controlled via engine torque regulation in such a way that
sufficient lateral force is always available. In order to comply with this
law of physics, when driving on winding roads the control thresholds for
engine torque regulation on the outer wheels are reduced considerably at
low frictional coefficient, ensuring that the tyres can develop sufficient
lateral force.
4MATIC: top performance in all areas
The 4MATIC drive system in the GLK is among the most powerful all-wheel-drive
systems there are; its control systems break new ground. Advantages over
other systems with a transversely installed drive unit are achieved thanks
to the basic compact, light and friction-loss-optimised design with its
longitudinally positioned engine and integrated main and transfer case. Fuel
consumption, for example, is at the same level as that of a comparable,
conventionally driven vehicle, whilst noise and vibration levels are on a
par with those in higher vehicle categories. |
105 years of all-wheel-drive technology from
Mercedes-Benz
The history of all-wheel drive from Mercedes-Benz
begins way back in 1903, when Paul Daimler, the son of the company's founder,
creates the foundations for designing vehicles with all-wheel drive. Since
then the accepted maxim has been that all-wheel drive is the number-one
technology for making better and safer progress on poor roads. As the decades
pass it is successfully introduced in a variety of Mercedes-Benz vehicles,
in both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Some models, such as the
G-Class and the Unimog, have attained legendary status all over the world.
But all-wheel drive has its benefits in everyday driving on asphalt roads
too, as demonstrated by the saloons and sports utility vehicles (SUV) from
Mercedes-Benz. |
4MATIC available in no less than 51 Mercedes
models
The Mercedes-Benz all-wheel-drive line-up includes nine model series and
offers an broad range of options: starting with the C-Class and E-Class,
both available as saloon and estate versions with 4MATIC, through the S-Class,
the luxury CL Coupé and the R-Class touring SUV, the Stuttgart-based
manufacturer offers the compact GLK SUV as well as the GL-Class and M-Class
off-roaders. The evergreen G-Class off-roader, which really comes into its
own off the beaten track, will be celebrating 30 years of loyal service next
year. It has a reputation as being one of the world's best cross-country
vehicles and is just one of 51 passenger car models which Mercedes-Benz offers
with permanent all-wheel drive. |
READER COMMENTS
Daimler Communications, 70546
Stuttgart, Germany
Mercedes-Benz a brand of Daimler AG, December 08, 2008 |
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