MB's 4 MATIC vs. SH AWD
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,217
Likes: 39
From: Northern VA
I have never driven a modern 4 matic either.
As you would expect, the main difference appears to be the Acura has the ability to torque shift from front to back axles and between left to right rear wheels. The MB lacks the torque shifting ability between rear wheels, but it can shift torque between front and rear axles just as the Acura can. The MB uses its stability system in concert with the AWD system just as the Acura does, but again, only the Acura has overdriven rear wheels that can shift torque from side to side.
From a MB Press Release on the 2010 E Class:
With snow, sleet, freezing fog, black ice, temperatures hovering around zero and severe frosts, the winter months hold some unpleasant road conditions in store for drivers. Despite these impediments, however, drivers of Mercedes models equipped with the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system can set off for the daily commute to work or savour the drive to the next winter wonderland with complete peace of mind. This is because the 4MATIC drive concept boasts formidable performance on snow-covered or icy roads. The E-Class 4MATIC in particular stands out for its blend of high traction reserves, excellent directional stability, peerless safety and exceptional comfort levels. Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating the capa-bilities of the Saloon and Estate models by staging a 4MATIC Workshop in extreme winter conditions on the Timmelsjoch high alpine road in Austria.
As with the 4MATIC system's set-up on a dry or wet road, directional stability and, therefore, active safety are paramount at all times when wintry conditions prevail, too. The mechanical principle of the 4MATIC system, featuring a 45:55 torque split between the front and rear axles and a multi-disc limited-slip centre differential with a basic locking torque of 50 Nm, offers all the right ingredients. This basic design enables high levels of traction, as the dynamic shift in axle load toward the rear axle that occurs during acceleration is harnessed to deliver more drive torque to the rear wheels. However, the multi-disc differential lock is also able to shift the drive torque between the front and rear axles, varying the split between 30:70 and 70:30 as the road conditions dictate. Consequently, intervention by the ESP®, 4ETS or ASR electronic control systems can be delayed for as long as possible and the bulk of the drive torque converted into tractive power, even on slippery roads. All control system interventions go virtually unnoticed, yet drivers still know straight away if they are driving on the limit: in such instances, a yellow warning symbol flashes in the instrument cluster as a highly visible prompt to adapt their driving style to the road conditions.
The drive mechanism's permanently engaged design offers key advantages over other systems that first need to diagnose a lack of grip before activating the 4x4 drive. The 4MATIC on the E-Class will have already made use of this valuable time to start transmitting drive torque via the wheels to the road.
As you would expect, the main difference appears to be the Acura has the ability to torque shift from front to back axles and between left to right rear wheels. The MB lacks the torque shifting ability between rear wheels, but it can shift torque between front and rear axles just as the Acura can. The MB uses its stability system in concert with the AWD system just as the Acura does, but again, only the Acura has overdriven rear wheels that can shift torque from side to side.
From a MB Press Release on the 2010 E Class:
With snow, sleet, freezing fog, black ice, temperatures hovering around zero and severe frosts, the winter months hold some unpleasant road conditions in store for drivers. Despite these impediments, however, drivers of Mercedes models equipped with the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system can set off for the daily commute to work or savour the drive to the next winter wonderland with complete peace of mind. This is because the 4MATIC drive concept boasts formidable performance on snow-covered or icy roads. The E-Class 4MATIC in particular stands out for its blend of high traction reserves, excellent directional stability, peerless safety and exceptional comfort levels. Mercedes-Benz is demonstrating the capa-bilities of the Saloon and Estate models by staging a 4MATIC Workshop in extreme winter conditions on the Timmelsjoch high alpine road in Austria.
As with the 4MATIC system's set-up on a dry or wet road, directional stability and, therefore, active safety are paramount at all times when wintry conditions prevail, too. The mechanical principle of the 4MATIC system, featuring a 45:55 torque split between the front and rear axles and a multi-disc limited-slip centre differential with a basic locking torque of 50 Nm, offers all the right ingredients. This basic design enables high levels of traction, as the dynamic shift in axle load toward the rear axle that occurs during acceleration is harnessed to deliver more drive torque to the rear wheels. However, the multi-disc differential lock is also able to shift the drive torque between the front and rear axles, varying the split between 30:70 and 70:30 as the road conditions dictate. Consequently, intervention by the ESP®, 4ETS or ASR electronic control systems can be delayed for as long as possible and the bulk of the drive torque converted into tractive power, even on slippery roads. All control system interventions go virtually unnoticed, yet drivers still know straight away if they are driving on the limit: in such instances, a yellow warning symbol flashes in the instrument cluster as a highly visible prompt to adapt their driving style to the road conditions.
The drive mechanism's permanently engaged design offers key advantages over other systems that first need to diagnose a lack of grip before activating the 4x4 drive. The 4MATIC on the E-Class will have already made use of this valuable time to start transmitting drive torque via the wheels to the road.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 12
From: Granite State
The following is an excerp from an article comparing SH-AWD, AWD, and the 4-Matic
Of these three vehicles, the Mercedes was the least manageable in the slick conditions. The 4matic system felt crude and car felt very heavy—I was surprised to learn that the Acura actually weighed more. Driving was very unpredictable, with power being cut to stop the wheels from spinning, then returning when unexpected. Even with AWD and ESP, we almost spun the car twice. In conditions such as these, the E-Class would be handful to control.
Of these three vehicles, the Mercedes was the least manageable in the slick conditions. The 4matic system felt crude and car felt very heavy—I was surprised to learn that the Acura actually weighed more. Driving was very unpredictable, with power being cut to stop the wheels from spinning, then returning when unexpected. Even with AWD and ESP, we almost spun the car twice. In conditions such as these, the E-Class would be handful to control.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 1
From: UK
The following is an excerp from an article comparing SH-AWD, AWD, and the 4-Matic
Of these three vehicles, the Mercedes was the least manageable in the slick conditions. The 4matic system felt crude and car felt very heavy—I was surprised to learn that the Acura actually weighed more. Driving was very unpredictable, with power being cut to stop the wheels from spinning, then returning when unexpected. Even with AWD and ESP, we almost spun the car twice. In conditions such as these, the E-Class would be handful to control.
Of these three vehicles, the Mercedes was the least manageable in the slick conditions. The 4matic system felt crude and car felt very heavy—I was surprised to learn that the Acura actually weighed more. Driving was very unpredictable, with power being cut to stop the wheels from spinning, then returning when unexpected. Even with AWD and ESP, we almost spun the car twice. In conditions such as these, the E-Class would be handful to control.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 20,067
Likes: 4,698
From: Cleveland area, OH
---> LINK
Acura's marketing of this fantastic system is a total fail.
I say for the umpteenth time....SH-AWD is the shiznit and people are trying to copy it...then market it better than Acura. *cough*BMW*cough*
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 308
Likes: 4
I agree about Acura's poor marketing. I always see "Cars or Luxury cars with the best bang for the buck" articles on MSN's & Yahoo's homepages & never see the RL. You see the base 5 series, E Classes & even the M37 (all at MSRP).. Yet the RL's features blow those cars out the water for the same price & on top of that, you can get a new RL tech as low as 5k - 8K below MSRP due to the last few years of relatively low demand & poor marketing!!
I will give those articles a little credit bc they also gave the CTS some love though!!
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