When is E-Active Body Control Coming out for 2021 S Class?
10-13-2020, 04:42 PM
#1
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When is E-Active Body Control Coming out for 2021 S Class?
Although Mercedes is heavily promoting E-Active Body Control in all of their marketing, it is not actually an option that you can currently select when buying the car, and it is not standard. AIRMATIC is a separate system, and is standard, but does NOT include E-Active Body Control.
My dealer doesn't know what is going on with E-ABC. To confirm, I called MB USA and they checked their documentation and confirmed it is not included, and is also not available. They had no date for release.
This is pretty ridiculous in my view, for what it's worth.
Does anyone have any rumors or hard info on when this will actually get released?
My dealer doesn't know what is going on with E-ABC. To confirm, I called MB USA and they checked their documentation and confirmed it is not included, and is also not available. They had no date for release.
This is pretty ridiculous in my view, for what it's worth.
Does anyone have any rumors or hard info on when this will actually get released?
10-13-2020, 04:59 PM
#2
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Although Mercedes is heavily promoting E-Active Body Control in all of their marketing, it is not actually an option that you can currently select when buying the car, and it is not standard. AIRMATIC is a separate system, and is standard, but does NOT include E-Active Body Control.
My dealer doesn't know what is going on with E-ABC. To confirm, I called MB USA and they checked their documentation and confirmed it is not included, and is also not available. They had no date for release.
This is pretty ridiculous in my view, for what it's worth.
Does anyone have any rumors or hard info on when this will actually get released?
My dealer doesn't know what is going on with E-ABC. To confirm, I called MB USA and they checked their documentation and confirmed it is not included, and is also not available. They had no date for release.
This is pretty ridiculous in my view, for what it's worth.
Does anyone have any rumors or hard info on when this will actually get released?
On the plus side the US already has first dibs on the S580, a car not even offered in Europe.
The E-ABC suspension is expected to be available for ordering in spring 2021 and deliveries in June. This is for European deliveries; we'll have to see about the US.
Last edited by Wolfman; 10-13-2020 at 07:48 PM.
10-14-2020, 03:36 PM
#3
Member
Yes, it is.
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
10-14-2020, 04:14 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Yes, it is.
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
I also feel they are being less than transparent about this. They are talking about E-ABC in all their marketing. It's not like in the U.S. dealer ordering guide that you can select E-ABC and it is delayed - it's just not there. So actually my sales guy told me "oh it's probably just included in the S580". But it turns out its not.
You know what the real risk is here? What if E-ABC is actually delayed until the 2022 model year? That would be the true travesty because then any early customers are basically screwed.
10-14-2020, 04:39 PM
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Yes, it is.
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
Can't wait?
Well, at the moment you won't find this technology anywhere but Audi.
Make no mistake, they were the first.
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/...ip-model-11905
For one, Mercedes has fully active suspensions for over 20 years (unlike Audi). They also had predictive fully active suspensions since 2014 (for road surfaces)
What Audi brought to the table was accident prediction for side impacts. That was a fantastic idea from the guys 20 years late to the game
E-ABC does a whole lot more than Audi's suspension...
10-14-2020, 04:50 PM
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Such a travesty. Mercedes had Magic Body Control last version which is replaced by E-ABC but now because E-ABC is delayed, basically the S-class is losing any type of active suspension at launch.
I also feel they are being less than transparent about this. They are talking about E-ABC in all their marketing. It's not like in the U.S. dealer ordering guide that you can select E-ABC and it is delayed - it's just not there. So actually my sales guy told me "oh it's probably just included in the S580". But it turns out its not.
You know what the real risk is here? What if E-ABC is actually delayed until the 2022 model year? That would be the true travesty because then any early customers are basically screwed.
I also feel they are being less than transparent about this. They are talking about E-ABC in all their marketing. It's not like in the U.S. dealer ordering guide that you can select E-ABC and it is delayed - it's just not there. So actually my sales guy told me "oh it's probably just included in the S580". But it turns out its not.
You know what the real risk is here? What if E-ABC is actually delayed until the 2022 model year? That would be the true travesty because then any early customers are basically screwed.
MBC orders were well below 5% of W222 sales. So 95% of customers get a better suspension than they already had in their W222's. Sounds like you just had a clueless salesman, as MBC was never "just included" either. That was a $4300 option, hence very few people bought it.
When companies introduce new models it doesn't mean that every option or model is available from the start. For the US this will be a certainty as only some options and models make it across. If I recall, the A8 V8 version took a year to show up in the US but was introduced at the same time.
Level 3 & Level 4 parking will likely not make it across to the US for years... Likely the same for digital light.
10-14-2020, 05:19 PM
#7
Member
Nah, it's all the same, really...
"There are compact electric motors located close to each of the Audi A8’s wheels
Whenever the driving physics try to force the body down on the wheel, for example on poorly surfaced roads, predictive active suspension counteracts this effect. An extremely sharp impulse – as encountered on the racetrack, for example – will produce a very short but high energy demand of potentially up to 6 kilowatts."
"There are compact electric motors located close to each of the Audi A8’s wheels
Whenever the driving physics try to force the body down on the wheel, for example on poorly surfaced roads, predictive active suspension counteracts this effect. An extremely sharp impulse – as encountered on the racetrack, for example – will produce a very short but high energy demand of potentially up to 6 kilowatts."
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10-14-2020, 05:22 PM
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10-14-2020, 05:31 PM
#9
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Nah, it's all the same, really...
"There are compact electric motors located close to each of the Audi A8’s wheels
Whenever the driving physics try to force the body down on the wheel, for example on poorly surfaced roads, predictive active suspension counteracts this effect. An extremely sharp impulse – as encountered on the racetrack, for example – will produce a very short but high energy demand of potentially up to 6 kilowatts."
"There are compact electric motors located close to each of the Audi A8’s wheels
Whenever the driving physics try to force the body down on the wheel, for example on poorly surfaced roads, predictive active suspension counteracts this effect. An extremely sharp impulse – as encountered on the racetrack, for example – will produce a very short but high energy demand of potentially up to 6 kilowatts."
Love to see an A8 wiggle itself out of a snowbank...
10-14-2020, 05:33 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
You are obviously joking.
MBC orders were well below 5% of W222 sales. So 95% of customers get a better suspension than they already had in their W222's. Sounds like you just had a clueless salesman, as MBC was never "just included" either. That was a $4300 option, hence very few people bought it.
When companies introduce new models it doesn't mean that every option or model is available from the start. For the US this will be a certainty as only some options and models make it across. If I recall, the A8 V8 version took a year to show up in the US but was introduced at the same time.
Level 3 & Level 4 parking will likely not make it across to the US for years... Likely the same for digital light.
MBC orders were well below 5% of W222 sales. So 95% of customers get a better suspension than they already had in their W222's. Sounds like you just had a clueless salesman, as MBC was never "just included" either. That was a $4300 option, hence very few people bought it.
When companies introduce new models it doesn't mean that every option or model is available from the start. For the US this will be a certainty as only some options and models make it across. If I recall, the A8 V8 version took a year to show up in the US but was introduced at the same time.
Level 3 & Level 4 parking will likely not make it across to the US for years... Likely the same for digital light.
I bet more than 5% of W222s had MBC. It's so core to the S class. S class is synonymous with active suspension at this point.
I think Mercedes was just worried that if they owned up to the fact that E-ABC is delayed, then the press would have been all over them at launch and they wanted to stay on message. So they are going to wait a few months and then drop that it is delayed - possibly until 2022 Model Year, which is outrageous.
10-14-2020, 06:29 PM
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For the record, I'm also super irritated about Digital Light and Level 3/4 Parking - which are also 100% vaporware. I'm also unhappy that the "first class" option is also not available in the U.S.
I bet more than 5% of W222s had MBC. It's so core to the S class. S class is synonymous with active suspension at this point.
I think Mercedes was just worried that if they owned up to the fact that E-ABC is delayed, then the press would have been all over them at launch and they wanted to stay on message. So they are going to wait a few months and then drop that it is delayed - possibly until 2022 Model Year, which is outrageous.
I bet more than 5% of W222s had MBC. It's so core to the S class. S class is synonymous with active suspension at this point.
I think Mercedes was just worried that if they owned up to the fact that E-ABC is delayed, then the press would have been all over them at launch and they wanted to stay on message. So they are going to wait a few months and then drop that it is delayed - possibly until 2022 Model Year, which is outrageous.
We have had ABC in many cars and we purchased it in every car it was available in but it is a rarity in the US. The S class is unfortunately not synonymous with active suspensions as many W222's are sold as 4matic with no MBC option (RWD only). Go to cars.com and try to find MBC in the 1800 plus RWD listings...
I for one am surprised that they even call the S-Class a 2021. Personally I also couldn't imagine ordering a car from a rev.1 DOG. There are so many configurations missing...
Last edited by Wolfman; 10-14-2020 at 06:32 PM.
10-15-2020, 11:13 AM
#12
Member
I love my MBC, it works great. Thing is though, I got accustomed to it all, which means it's really nothing special anymore.
I'm ready for more, but Benz is not.
Guess I'll take my money elsewhere, plain and simple.
I'm ready for more, but Benz is not.
Guess I'll take my money elsewhere, plain and simple.
10-15-2020, 12:26 PM
#13
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Yeah... The fact that this is a problem is just sad. They should at least let us order it and give us the date when it is coming out, instead of pretending that they are launching the feature and not talking about the details.
10-15-2020, 12:29 PM
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If you want to take your money elsewhere I wonder where to?
I can't see a competitor to the new S-Class. Neither the A8 or 7 series are at this level...
10-15-2020, 01:12 PM
#15
Member
It's a shame the American consumer often overlooks this option on the few cars that offer it.
Dealers would rather sell a $5k sound system which they can easily demonstrate to the potential buyer.
So this way the buyer either doesn't know about the active suspension system or can't understand how spending thousands more is worth it over what the car already comes with.
Dealers would rather sell a $5k sound system which they can easily demonstrate to the potential buyer.
So this way the buyer either doesn't know about the active suspension system or can't understand how spending thousands more is worth it over what the car already comes with.
10-15-2020, 01:41 PM
#16
I plan to be very patient, and simply wait it out for the various features I’d really like to have. I don’t mind at all having to wait for a 2022 S-class, or even a bit longer. My biggest ‘need’ is the S-class hybrid. I’d prefer the non-ICE/pure electric S, but that may be a lot further out.
Last edited by JetRanger; 10-15-2020 at 01:44 PM.
10-15-2020, 02:08 PM
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It's a shame the American consumer often overlooks this option on the few cars that offer it.
Dealers would rather sell a $5k sound system which they can easily demonstrate to the potential buyer.
So this way the buyer either doesn't know about the active suspension system or can't understand how spending thousands more is worth it over what the car already comes with.
Dealers would rather sell a $5k sound system which they can easily demonstrate to the potential buyer.
So this way the buyer either doesn't know about the active suspension system or can't understand how spending thousands more is worth it over what the car already comes with.
This is more evident on the SL's than any other MB model. Every previous R230 SL had the ABC suspension (eventually leading to high failure rates) by default while the later R231 SL defaulted to springs unbeknowst to many. The improved and trouble-free ABC became a $4k option. ABC is now a rarity in the used SL market...
MBC is the same as ABC btw. The MBC just adds a camera and software for road surface scanning and predictive adjustments (a $300 difference)..
10-16-2020, 08:30 PM
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Thanks.
10-17-2020, 03:06 PM
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Options that are missing as indicated in this thread are the E-ABC and Magic Sky...
My assumption is all this become available in rev.2+
If there is an urgency to order an S-Class due to lease timing, it makes perfect sense to place it but we are at a time where the orders won't go into production for 3+ months. Personally if people can wait it may make sense to have all options become available with some demo cars on the ground to see which (especially interior) option matter to them and which not.
10-18-2020, 09:29 PM
#21
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You're right, an A8 isn't at the level of an S class. It actually has a classy interior that will age well. Exterior wise - both cars are boring, but at least the rear of the A8 looks elegant.
10-19-2020, 01:00 AM
#22
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As an example, a lot of reviewers end up comparing the S-class to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare an A8 to a Bentley. Sorry, just had to get in on the opportunity to flame Audi
10-19-2020, 01:02 AM
#23
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The German configurator offers all interior trim options (particularly the rear seat options) to be available with the AMG trim. That's not the case with the rev.1 US DOG which doesn't offer most executive line included options to be available as an add-on option to the AMG line.
Options that are missing as indicated in this thread are the E-ABC and Magic Sky...
My assumption is all this become available in rev.2+
If there is an urgency to order an S-Class due to lease timing, it makes perfect sense to place it but we are at a time where the orders won't go into production for 3+ months. Personally if people can wait it may make sense to have all options become available with some demo cars on the ground to see which (especially interior) option matter to them and which not.
Options that are missing as indicated in this thread are the E-ABC and Magic Sky...
My assumption is all this become available in rev.2+
If there is an urgency to order an S-Class due to lease timing, it makes perfect sense to place it but we are at a time where the orders won't go into production for 3+ months. Personally if people can wait it may make sense to have all options become available with some demo cars on the ground to see which (especially interior) option matter to them and which not.
10-19-2020, 08:19 AM
#24
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An A8 is really just a Volkswagen though at the end of the day. Lexus and Audi (and Acura) should be classified as pseudo-luxury brands. This is why they are cheaper - they re-use most of the parts from consumer cars. I don't really feel like they are competitive.
As an example, a lot of reviewers end up comparing the S-class to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare an A8 to a Bentley. Sorry, just had to get in on the opportunity to flame Audi
As an example, a lot of reviewers end up comparing the S-class to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare an A8 to a Bentley. Sorry, just had to get in on the opportunity to flame Audi
Cars are judged as a sum of their parts, and seriously though, with this logic, a Maybach shouldn't even exist. It's a 'pseudo luxury brand' then.
10-19-2020, 09:46 AM
#25
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An A8 is really just a Volkswagen though at the end of the day. Lexus and Audi (and Acura) should be classified as pseudo-luxury brands. This is why they are cheaper - they re-use most of the parts from consumer cars. I don't really feel like they are competitive.
As an example, a lot of reviewers end up comparing the S-class to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare an A8 to a Bentley. Sorry, just had to get in on the opportunity to flame Audi
As an example, a lot of reviewers end up comparing the S-class to Rolls-Royce and Bentley; I don't think I've ever heard anyone compare an A8 to a Bentley. Sorry, just had to get in on the opportunity to flame Audi
All that you accomplished is that relative to the A8 you showed that you really aren't a car guy.
Last edited by MBNUT1; 10-19-2020 at 10:15 AM.
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