MERCEDES-Benz is to introduce its Active Body Control system in the UK later this year with the launch of the new CL coupe. ABC is designed to reduce rolling, pitching and other body movements as a result of poor road surfaces, hard cornering, braking or acceleration and Mercedes says the new system - which will be introduced on other models in the future - can reduce body movement by up to 68%.

At the heart of the system are 13 sensors placed at various points on the car. They detect every movement and relay the information to two on-board processors which compute the ideal suspension setting for each wheel under given conditions within milliseconds. Hydraulically-adjusted servo cylinders within the suspension system on each wheel react to counter the body movements and keep the car balanced and even.