M-Class on Arctic Ice Test Track
Stardust M32, land of ice, shod with Goodyear 285/65 R16.
High in the Sierra Nevada above 9000 feet with five inches of fresh pulver over a firm deep frozen pack. As new storm clouds approach from the west chain control takes effect on major highways.
The ML in a powerslide on the ice track in Arvidsjaur, a frozen lake in Sweden, close to the arctic circle.
Testing and algorithm refinements continue while the vehicles are in production.
The temperature here is minus 35 degrees Celsius or minus 31 deg F. Note the blue ice track in the rear.
The chessboard surface was an extremely tough challenge for the electronic brake management systems.
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ESP_mode=DRIFT. On low traction surfaces drifting through the curve can be advantageous. Break the rear lose, or move sideways to brake, like on skis or planes, then flip and let the rear overtake the front, align with the new straight, and accelerate. With 4WD with double the traction this technique is less advantageous than with RWD. On high traction surfaces and for Formula cars drifting brings no advantage. |
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When the sun shines on the smooth ice surface it appears blue. In contrast to the blue ice on this frozen lake, black ice is a thin ice layer on a road, also sometimes called surface ice. Tests are also performed on roughened ice and snow covered ice. Great care is taken to prepare consistant surfaces for testing. |
The double lane change elk-test at night.
The Mercedes Actros enters the mµ-split ESP test.
Thanks to 4ETS the M-Class is a maximum climber on any surface.
Ice slope test with M-Class prototype. Even if only one wheel has traction the ML can proceed.
dynamics + suspension ABS ABS Plus ETS 4ETS Plus ESP SBC winter tires brake fluid
Photos: Conti-Teves, Mercedes, WH Networks
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