second generation of 4Matic was reintroduced on the W210 series in 1998/1999. Available only with left hand drive, the cars were again manufactured at the Magna-Steyr plant in Austria. The second generation of 4Matic utilized a full-time 4-wheel drive system with three open differentials front, centre and rear. Traction control is achieved using ETS (Electronic Traction System). This employs the ABS system with additional valves to monitor and then partially brake any wheel which loses traction. This much simpler system is also featured in the Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV and c280 sedan Third Generation Since 2008, some versions of 4Matic have provided true AWD where the system is permanently active. Sophisticated engine management and ABS systems control the amount of torque transferred to each wheel, allowing the system to be effective at any speed. Fourth Generation In 2016, Mercedes introduced a new 4WD system called 4Matic+. This system can send 100 percent of the available engine torque to either the front or rear axles. In the fifth-generation E-Class an additional setting was introduced in the E63 S AMG model that disconnects the front axle from the powertrain, effectively turning it into a rear wheel drive automobile. This has become known as "Drift Mode", riding the wave of attention drawn by the eponymous setting first deployed in the third-generation Ford Focus RS. Availability The second and third generation 4MATIC systems are currently available on the A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, G-Class, S-Class sedan, S-Class coupé (formerly CL), GLA, GLB, GLC (formerly GLK), GLE (formerly ML), GLS (formerly GL), GT CLA, CLS, Vito and Viano (North American name; Metris), and Sprinter 4x4 although certain right-hand-drive models are not available due to the position of the steering column. These later systems include engine and automatic stability controls. See also 4motion - Volkswagen-branded four-wheel-drive system BMW xDrive - BMW's AWD system Locking differential - provides additional information on differentials quattro (four-wheel-drive system) - the four-wheel-drive system from Audi S-AWC - a torque-vectoring four-wheel-drive system from Mitsubishi Motors Symmetrical All Wheel Drive - the four wheel drive system from Subaru Mercedes-Benz W124 Mercedes-Benz E Class (1985–1995) References External links Details of 4MATIC system on Daimler's PR site 4MATIC system on Mercedes' USA site Mercedes-Benz Four-wheel-drive system tradenames