Crosswind stabilisation as new Active Body Control function
The AMG sports suspension now comes as standard with automatic crosswind stabilisation based on Active Body Control (ABC). The ABC control electronics vary the wheel load distribution so that the effect of crosswinds is virtually compensated or reduced to a minimum. If the S-Class is affected by a crosswind, the ABC control unit utilises the yaw-rate, lateral acceleration, steering angle and speed sensors of the Electronic Stability Program ESP® to trigger diagonal wheel load distribution instantly – for instance on the left front and right rear wheel.
The associated steering effect reduces the effect of the crosswind. Crosswind stabilisation is activated at speeds above 80 km/h while travelling in a straight line or on slight bends. The function is deactivated if the driver himself makes heavy, brusque steering corrections.
The active suspension on the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG all but entirely eliminates the body movements that occur when moving off, cornering and braking. Bends are negotiated with far less roll; the body roll caused by fast evasive manoeuvring is effectively suppressed.
Other notable features of Active Body Control are the variable roll moment distribution between the front and rear axles, which the system carries out automatically according to the speed.
The computer uses various acceleration sensors to obtain information on the current driving situation and compares this data with those from the pressure sensors in the spring struts and the level sensors on the control arms. The system then computes the control signals that the servo-hydraulic valves at the front and rear axle transform into precisely metered flows of oil.
The load adjustment system enables the current vehicle weight to be factored into the calculation processes for the active suspension. As such the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG handle just as dynamically even when the car is fully laden.
Briefly pressing the Sport button next to the AMG instrument cluster changes the characteristics of the AMG sports suspension: the roll angle through fast corners is reduced further, the shock absorbers and springs also respond firmer to promote agility. At speeds of between 65 and 100 km/h, ABC automatically lowers the body by as much as 15 millimetres to reduce wind resistance. If more ground clearance is needed when driving on poor road surfaces, the driver can raise the level of the vehicle by 40 millimetres at a speed up to 30 km/h by simply pressing a button.
