Photo: Daimler AG
Normally, we would probably tell you to take the following with a pinch of salt, but this time, it won't be necessary. Someone at Mercedes-AMG is not a fan of 4Matic, but not in the way you might think.
Most of you have probably noticed that thanks to a change in nomenclature that started back in 2014, with the Mercedes-AMG GT, all current AMG models have lost the “Benz” in their full name.
Stuttgart now wants a clear differentiation between its different sub-brands, meaning that nowadays a Mercedes-Benz should be seen as a different breed compared to a Mercedes-Maybach and/or a Mercedes-AMG.
To complete the transition, Mercedes-AMG's head honchos want to lose the 4Matic moniker as well. In a way, it kind of makes sense, because technically speaking every AWD AMG model has a differently tuned all-wheel-drive system compared to a regular Mercedes-Benz 4Matic.
The E-, CLS- and S-Class models from AMG have a power distribution ratio of 33 to 67 percent between the front and rear axles to keep some of that tail-happiness found in the regular RWD versions, but with much-improved traction.
E-, CLS- and S-Class models badged as Mercedes-Benz have a distribution ratio of 45 to 55 percent between the front and rear axles, so the handling derived from it is entirely different.
Currently, the 4Matic name change for AWD AMG models is still being debated, but we can exclusively tell you that the marketing guys have narrowed the new moniker down to five options.
This means that starting as early as 2017, Mercedes-AMG models that come with all-wheel-drive will no longer be christened 4Matic, but 4Dynamic, 4Action, 4Grip, Active4 or 4Power - obviously in all caps.
Don't take our word for it, but it seems that “4Dynamic” has the best chances of getting through, even though nothing has been decided at the time of this writing. What do you think about this change, is it maybe too late to start differentiating between a well-known nameplate like 4Matic and bring something else to the table or should AMG just name its models the same as before?
Stuttgart now wants a clear differentiation between its different sub-brands, meaning that nowadays a Mercedes-Benz should be seen as a different breed compared to a Mercedes-Maybach and/or a Mercedes-AMG.
To complete the transition, Mercedes-AMG's head honchos want to lose the 4Matic moniker as well. In a way, it kind of makes sense, because technically speaking every AWD AMG model has a differently tuned all-wheel-drive system compared to a regular Mercedes-Benz 4Matic.
The E-, CLS- and S-Class models from AMG have a power distribution ratio of 33 to 67 percent between the front and rear axles to keep some of that tail-happiness found in the regular RWD versions, but with much-improved traction.
E-, CLS- and S-Class models badged as Mercedes-Benz have a distribution ratio of 45 to 55 percent between the front and rear axles, so the handling derived from it is entirely different.
Currently, the 4Matic name change for AWD AMG models is still being debated, but we can exclusively tell you that the marketing guys have narrowed the new moniker down to five options.
This means that starting as early as 2017, Mercedes-AMG models that come with all-wheel-drive will no longer be christened 4Matic, but 4Dynamic, 4Action, 4Grip, Active4 or 4Power - obviously in all caps.
Don't take our word for it, but it seems that “4Dynamic” has the best chances of getting through, even though nothing has been decided at the time of this writing. What do you think about this change, is it maybe too late to start differentiating between a well-known nameplate like 4Matic and bring something else to the table or should AMG just name its models the same as before?
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