It’s been a long time since I participated in an ice and snow test drive, it was amazing! Unlike the usual test drives, ice and snow test drives are all about drifting, excitement, and the challenge of driving on ice and snow! Now let’s review the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Ice and Snow Showdown event!
Test Drive Experience This ice and snow test drive includes five subjects: Ice High-speed Race Track, Ice Silverstone Race Track, Ice Monza Race Track, Ice Obstacle Race Track, and Ice Crossing. Participants will drive different vehicle models to take on corresponding challenges. All vehicles have been equipped with snow tires or studded tires to ensure safety and drivability.
At the beginning of the challenge, start with the ice high-ring track to get a feel for drifting. The A 35 and A 35L, as well as the E-Class and EQE, were the models used. Despite being entry-level models in the family, they are still AMG, which immediately stirs our emotions.
The ESP of the E-class and EQE can only be turned off in one mode, so every time the car starts to drift, it will pull you back the next second, making it difficult for me to control consecutive drifts accurately. However, for daily driving focused on safety, the role of ESP is really important. But today’s theme on the ice and snow track is to have fun, so these two cars are not fully enjoyed.
The ice track is the most memorable part of the experience. I drove the AMG A 45 S and CLA 45 S. Despite being similar, the A 45 S felt more agile and handled drifting through the corners with ease.
This subject starts running the entire track, so when drifting through the corners, I constantly push the limits of the vehicle. Each time before drifting, the steering angle is greater than the last, almost reaching a position where the front of the car is facing the center of the turn. With continuous adjustments and throttle control, the drift is maintained. The excellent seat wrapping and the roar of the engine, along with the exhaust popping, make it an exhilarating experience for me.
The ice obstacle course was scheduled after lunch, possibly because this event is relatively easy, and running intense laps could make everyone throw up their meal. Under the guidance of the coach, the EQE SUV and EQS SUV were driven for a simple four-wheel drive experience. The rich off-road information displayed in the central control interface gives the driver more confidence in off-road driving.
Next, on the ice track in Monza, the car models to experience are the AMG GT four-door coupe and the AMG SL 63. I can only say it’s difficult, too difficult! The AMG GT four-door coupe is a rear-wheel drive model, different from the all-wheel drive A 45 S. The entry angle, direction after drifting, and throttle adjustment of the rear-wheel drive model are all different. But the power and sound from the 3.0T turbocharged six-cylinder engine are enough to take the excitement to the next level.
The AMG SL 63 was my nightmare, with its 4.0T twin-turbocharged V8 engine, reaching a maximum horsepower of 585Ps and a price tag of up to 2 million. Multiple high pressures caused me to fail drifting around corners several times. Unfortunately, I only had two chances to experience it and couldn’t learn to tame this mechanical beast better.
We crossed the ice field and arrived at the uninhabited area covered with deep snow, experiencing the AMG G 63 and GLS. Unlike the track’s advocacy of recklessness and passion, here the emphasis is on composure and strength. In the morning, driving the AMG G 63, whether sitting or driving, I was excited, after all, this should be every man’s dream car. The high visibility from inside the car, the rumbling exhaust sound, and the attention from the crowd as we passed by, it’s just too cool! The big G is still an AMG’s big G!
After entering the complex ice and snow section, the coach instructed us to only open the center lock, close the ESP, activate the Hill Descent Control, and turn on the off-road mode. The whole team followed the coach along the tracks, thanks to the G 63’s ground clearance and strong off-road capabilities, the entire process went smoothly, even when facing the challenge of breaking through the snow-covered mountain. In the afternoon, after switching to the GLS, the most immediate feeling was how comfortable it was! Whether it’s the seats, suspension, or the overall interior style, it’s all about comfort, while the G-Class is born for off-roading, although equally luxurious, but with a different style. At the same time, the GLS’s four-wheel drive performance on the icy and snowy roads is excellent, and when climbing the snow-covered mountain, combined with the manual 2nd gear mode, the climbing process is very easy. I didn’t feel any slipping in the middle, but in reality, the four-wheel drive system definitely intervened in a timely and rapid manner. Mercedes-Benz G500 Heritage Edition officially launched.
At the 2024 Mercedes-Benz Ice and Snow Showdown event, Bi Lisi, Vice President of Sales Execution of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd., announced the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz G500 Heritage Edition, priced at 2.39 million yuan. A total of 3 color packages have been released, with a global limit of 500 units for each color package and a domestic limit of 66 units for each color package.
Summary: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz Ice and Snow Showdown, which lasted for two days, has ended. During these two days, I experienced the joy of drifting on the ice. From being a beginner to becoming skilled, I learned to control the vehicle and drift through the corners. However, when driving a powerful car like the SL 63, I also experienced a sense of helplessness when losing control. I just want to say that driving on ice and snow requires attention to safety, and ESP is a good thing that can bring the vehicle back from the edge of losing control. Another point is the powerful four-wheel drive system of Mercedes, whether it’s the top-of-the-line G 63 or the luxury-focused GLS, they both showed great composure when crossing the ice.