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Confidence in all conditions.

From winter storms to tight corners, 4MATIC all-wheel drive maximizes traction by engaging all four wheels, so you can always put your best foot forward. Disclaimer[3]

Greater control. Gripping results.

Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive is fully integrated into your vehicle, so it reacts instantly and adjusts to any scenario.

A yellow Mercedes-Benz SUV driving fast on a dirt road.
A matte grey Mercedes-Benz sedan driving along a road at sunset.
A yellow Mercedes-Benz SUV driving fast on a dirt road.

4MATIC Variable All-Wheel Drive

Available on certain vehicles, variable all-wheel drive can automatically change from pure front-wheel drive (for steady highway driving) to a 50:50 front-rear split for harsher conditions. This adaptability allows for increased fuel efficiency while keeping you safe in moments of need.

A matte grey Mercedes-Benz sedan driving along a road at sunset.

4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

Unlike its variable counterpart, permanent all-wheel drive is always in action with a fixed torque split, so power is always applied to all four wheels. This creates a noticeable improvement in the vehicle’s handling, safety and overall ride comfort.

A graphic showing how the 4-ETS system sends power to all four wheels independently.

4-ETS: Turning slip into grip.

Pioneered by Mercedes-Benz, the 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (4-ETS) is built to detect the onset of wheelspin. It then rapidly pulses the brake at the slipping wheel, sending torque and power back to the gripping wheel to get you out of mud, sand or gravel.

AMG Performance 4MATIC

Designed to handle the raw power of Mercedes-AMG vehicles, and provide an ideal combination of agility, efficiency and traction.

Two Mercedes-Benz SUVs - one red and one blue - sitting in a scenic park.
A matte grey Mercedes-Benz sedan driving along a road at sunset.
Two Mercedes-Benz coupes - one black and one blue - driving alongside each other on a stretch of oceanside highway.
Two Mercedes-Benz SUVs - one red and one blue - sitting in a scenic park.

AMG Performance 4MATIC Variable All-Wheel Drive

This performance-oriented variant ensures added dynamism and traction with a multi-disc clutch and AMG-specific electrohydraulic control integrated into the rear axle differential.

A matte grey Mercedes-Benz sedan driving along a road at sunset.

AMG Performance 4MATIC+ Variable All-Wheel Drive

4MATIC+ for AMG continuously calculates the ideal torque distribution, enabling a seamless transition from all-wheel drive to 100% rear-wheel drive, for optimum traction and hallmark AMG driving dynamics.

Two Mercedes-Benz coupes - one black and one blue - driving alongside each other on a stretch of oceanside highway.

AMG Performance 4MATIC Permanent All-Wheel Drive

The permanent variant for AMG splits power between the front and rear at 31:69 for sedans, coupes and cabriolets, and 40:60 for SUVs, improving acceleration from a standing start.

A Mercedes-Benz drivetrain on a black background with layers missing to reveal what's inside.

Delivering power to pavement.

At its core, the 4MATIC system feeds power to the front axles through a transfer case in the transmission, while a limited slip differential provides balance between front and rear. Sensors throughout manage the torque demands of each wheel, resulting in greater traction and acceleration.

A Mercedes-Benz drivetrain on a black background with layers missing to reveal what's inside.

At home in harsh conditions.

4MATIC all-wheel drive is ready for any type of weather, and available in virtually every Mercedes-Benz model. So whether you’re in snow where grip is scarce, on a slick surface in rainy weather, or simply on dry terrain looking for a sportier drive, 4MATIC makes sure you’re equipped for the ride.

A Legacy of All-Wheel Drive

Over a century of experience, all over the world.

Having invented the car, the truck and the motorcycle before the turn of the 20th century, it’s no surprise that Gottlieb Daimler’s son Paul, a mechanical engineer himself, sketched the first designs for an all-wheel drive system in 1903.

1903

Paul Daimler creates the initial design for an AWD automobile.

1907

The “Dernberg-Wagen” is the first AWD car for everyday use. It also features 4-wheel steering.

1951

Production begins for the Unimog, a 4WD truck intitially intended for agricultural use. Still in production generations later, its go-anywhere capability makes it ideally suited for farming and construction in the most rugged terrains.

1972

Development begins for the Gelåndewagen, a cross-country SUV with the capability for industrial, municipal and military use, along with the comfort and safety for everyday civilian enjoyment.

1978

Introduction of the Antilock Braking System (ABS) lays the foundation for future electronic traction control systems.

1979

Production of the Gelandewagen, or “G-Model” begins in Graz, Austria, where it remains handcrafted and known as the “G-Class” to this day.

1985

Mercedes-Benz engineers introduce a new passenger-car AWD system at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s called 4MATIC.

1987

The W-124-series (E-Class) debuts the first 4MATIC models, featuring an electronically lockable differential.

1997

The M-Class SUV is launched with the first-ever 4-wheel Electronic Traction System (ETS) among its many innovations.

1999

4-ETS is added to the E-Class 4MATIC sedans and wagons.

2008

A new generation of 4MATIC achieves a system weight of well under 200 lbs. It appears first on the CL 550 Coupe.

Today

4MATIC is available on nearly all Mercedes-Benz vehicles around the world, with gasoline, diesel, hybrid and electric power.