Mercedes-Benz has filed a patent application for an innovative amphibious control system designed specifically for SUVs. At the heart of this system are removable buoyancy modules neatly integrated into the four wheel arches. These modules can dynamically adjust their buoyancy to keep the vehicle perfectly horizontal on water. Once inflated, they can be conveniently stored in the spare tire compartment.

When cruising on water, the SUV’s wheels double as rudders for steering, while the adaptive suspension system fine-tunes the wheel positioning for optimal performance. The land drive motors double up as propulsion units for water travel, allowing the vehicle to maneuver on water and dock autonomously by adjusting the torque of individual wheels.

This cutting-edge technology builds upon the deep-water wading capabilities of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, featuring a modular design that preserves the SUV’s original characteristics. Unlike traditional amphibious vehicles that rely on a boat-like hull, this system overcomes terrain limitations without compromising the vehicle’s core identity. However, as of now, there are no plans to move this technology into mass production.