Mercedes-Benz may be known for its premium, rear-wheel drive cars, but 2012 marked a watershed year in which the Stuttgart-based company ventured boldly into new segments, with new technology. This is most evident when it comes to the platform underpinning the A-Class, B-Class and the now the CLA-Class. The CLA is Mercedes-Benz’s attempt at a compact, four-door coupé, which is due for unveiling sometime next year. Think of it as a junior CLS-Class. Most notably for Mercedes-Benz, however, it will feature 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The 4Matic system that will appear in the CLA-Class, and allegedly be offered as an option in almost every other Mercedes-Benz, was designed from the get-go to work on front-wheel drive architecture with transversely mounted engines. It features fully variable torque distribution that works in tandem with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission for maximum efficiency. In regular driving, a multi-disc clutch remains open and the CLA powers along using the front wheels only. The torque-on-demand system means that the clutch only engages when it senses all-wheel drive is required.
Of course it’s all governed by a sophisticated raft of electronics that uses sensors to gather data from the ABS and ESP. It’s said to completely eliminate understeer and/or oversteer in any driving conditions. The drivetrain will feature a ‘Sport’ mode that means activation times are shortened and more torque is distributed to the rear axle for that dynamic, sporty drive. On the AMG versions, adaptation of the 4Matic system will work in accordance with the three-stage ESP.
The 4Matic system sounds brilliant. Computer guided handling and perfect control all the time. We just hope it doesn’t render the driving feel (particularly in the CLA45 AMG model) a little too numb and void. Well, we say that now, but we’re also confident that the Mercedes-Benz engineers know what they’re doing and will have a few pleasant surprises for us.
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