The series-production launch of the Mercedes-Benz 190 in 1983 also marked the beginning of the multi-link independent suspension's career. In many respects this is a feature that remains without parallel to this day, which is why this patented axle principle - naturally in a modified form - is also employed in the C-Class. With the multi-link independent suspension the wheel is fixed to five elastically mounted links that are independent of each other and which restrict its scope for movement in five directions:

The lower transverse control arms activate the suspension springs and dampers
The upper transverse control arms regulate the camber over the spring travel
The torque struts take up the drive and braking forces, and compensate for dive and squat when accelerating and decelerating
The diagonal struts are arranged differently from the torque struts, and also help to prevent dive and squat when braking and accelerating
The track rods limit changes in the wheel's toe-in to a desirable minimum

Owing to this intelligent control arm construction, each rear wheel basically retains freedom of movement in one plane only: namely during controlled compression and rebound.