2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Features Rear-Axle Steering for Greater Maneuverability

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Features Rear-Axle Steering for Greater Maneuverability

Published: September 17, 2020 | By: American Luxury Staff

Taken as a whole, Mercedes-Benz’s press release for the 2021 S-Class is something of a tome. Broken down into sections dedicated to special design features, tech, or imaginative luxury touches, the detail of the survey sometimes approaches the comical—for example, the section devoted to the car’s door handles (don’t laugh…the design is remarkable; they retract flush when not in use, and extend when the owner approacheth).

One mechanical design feature of the S-Class for the upcoming model year seems to make Merc especially proud: the car’s optional rear-axle steering, which allows the flagship sedan’s rear wheels to rotate up to 10 degrees. It’s an innovation that will be appreciated by parking valets worldwide, as it essentially means you can wangle the S-Class into a spot that is barely inches longer than the S-Class itself.

The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, except at high speed where they turn in the same direction.

The car’s turning circle is reduced significantly in cars outfitted with the option, and the front-axle direct steering ratio is extended by 15%. The S-Class’s suite of sensors provides the information for the system to adjust for individual-case parking. With the optional parking assistant along for the ride, the driver can presumably enjoy a quick massage, or enjoy the active ambient lighting.

Which is detailed in another subsection of the press release.

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