MONTVALE, N.J. - Lauded by many critics as "the best car in the world," the Mercedes-Benz S-Class enters the 2005 model year with a confidence of continued excellence. This year the innovative all-wheel-drive system, 4MATIC, is offered at no additional cost on the S430 and S500 luxury sedans. Introduced in November 2002, 4MATIC equipped models accounted for over 30% of model year 2004 S-Class sales.

This exceptional value is offered in response to the overwhelming acceptance of all-wheel-drive in the S-Class family of vehicles. Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC is a full-time all-wheel-drive system that uses a 40/60 front/rear torque split through a planetary center differential and requires no driver intervention. Advanced four-wheel electronic traction control is used to vary torque distribution to individual wheels under slippery conditions. Even if three wheels lose traction, 4MATIC can direct power to just one wheel, front or back, left or right, to keep the car moving. The system is lightweight (under 200 pounds) and compact, so passenger and cargo spaces are virtually unaffected.