Mercedes-Benz first launched its original Active Body Control system in the 1999 CL-class. It has since then gone on to feature in the company's higher-end cars, with the S-class and SL-class also featuring the system.

The original system was developed by Mercedes to minimise body roll on large and heavy models such as the S-class and SL-class when going around corners at any speed. The system used about half a dozen sensors that gathered data which was then passed on to the hydraulic servo mechanical bits to straighten the car in real time. The feature was considered state of the art at the time, but with rapid advance in technology it has now become rather outdated and slow.

It has now been revealed that Mercedes is developing a new Active Body Control system that is expected to be cheaper and more efficient than the predecessor. The new system is expected to use new-age computing and faster-acting CAN bus systems allowing the car to stabilise the ride faster and more efficiently. The new system is expected to become available on a wider model range and could make its way on to large SUVs.