Mercedes sets sights on SUV segment

Updated: 2012-04-23 07:58

By Zhuan Ti (China Daily)

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Mercedes sets sights on SUV segment

Asian debuted ML 63 AMG will be launche at the Beijing Auto Show.

Over 100 years

There is a reason why Mercedes engineers are so skilled in the development of groundbreaking all-wheel drive concepts.

The history of all-wheel drive at Mercedes-Benz dates back to 1904, when the first all-wheel drive vehicle was designed at Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.

It was quickly followed by further designs that had heavy support from the military.

In 1907, DMG introduced the Dernburg Wagen. Weighing 3.6 tons with a climbing ability of 25 percent, it was the first all-wheel drive passenger car for everyday use developed based on a truck chassis.

With the military showing little interest, Mercedes-Benz debuted the lightweight G5 all-wheel drive passenger car at the London Motor Show in 1938, billing it as a "colonial and hunting vehicle".

1973 marked the start of a new era in all-wheel drive development after a cooperation agreement was signed between Daimler-Benz AG and Steyr-Daimler-Puch.

Production of the G model subsequently began in late 1978. With a climbing ability of up to 80 percent, the G mode, could handle the toughest off-road terrain with ease while at the same time providing safe and comfortable handling on the road.

In 1989, the G model series - renamed the G-Class in 1993- became a Mercedes-Benz passenger car division. More than 30 years after the first model rolled off the line, the G-Class is still being built, though different body designs and engines are used.

The mid-1980s also saw the debut of the revolutionary all-wheel drive 4MATIC system in the mid-range Mercedes, which was what the Mercedes-Benz E-Class was called at the time.

In 1997, a second generation of all-wheel drive vehicles was presented in the E-Class model series 210.

Designed as a full-time all-wheel drive, the new 4MATIC was combined with the electronic traction system, or ETS, which replaced the standard differential locks in conventional all-wheel vehicles.

1997 was also the year that Mercedes-Benz established the M-Class market segment, equipped with 4MATIC and the 4ETS four-wheel traction control system.

Mercedes-Benz in 2005 presented the entirely new R-Class model series with 4MATIC. This was followed in 2006 by the GL-Class, Mercedes-Benz's first full-size SUV. In 2008, the GLK-Class celebrated its world premiere as the first compact SUV with 4MATIC.

Today, Mercedes-Benz offers the sophisticated 4MATIC all-wheel drive across 10 of its model series globally. In China, the successful technology is featured extensively in the company's top-of-the-line S-Class series as well as its premium SUV model range.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn