How to Distinguish Mercedes NTG4.0 vs NTG4.5 Infotainment Systems​​

 

​​How to Distinguish Mercedes NTG4.0 vs NTG4.5 Infotainment Systems​​

​​1. Core Differences​​

​​Feature​​

​​NTG4.0 (2005–2008)​​

​​NTG4.5 (2008–2012)​​

​​Screen Size​​

5.8″ display area

​​7″ display area​​

​​Screen Bezels​​

Thick black borders (~2 cm)

Slim bezels (near edge-to-edge)

​​Navigation Media​​

​​CD-based​​ (disc slot in glovebox)

​​SD card-based​​ (slot in glovebox)

​​Map Display​​

2D flat maps

​​3D terrain rendering​​

​​Voice Control Button​​

Dedicated button on steering wheel

Integrated into ​​top of COMAND knob​​ ( icon)

​​USB/AUX Ports​​

None

​​Added in glovebox​​

​​Host Model Number​​

BE4461 (metal casing)

BE4709 (plastic casing)

​​Optical Fiber Port​​

Absent

​​Present​​ (supports DTS audio)

 

2. Visual Identification​​

  • ​​Screen Appearance​​:

    • ​​NTG4.0​​: Small 5.8″ display with ​​thick gray bezels​​.

      https://via.placeholder.com/150×100/333333/FFFFFF?text=NTG4.0+Bezel

    • ​​NTG4.5​​: Larger 7″ screen with ​​minimal borders​​.

      https://via.placeholder.com/150×100/555555/FFFFFF?text=NTG4.5+Screen

  • ​​Glovebox Compartment​​:

    • ​​NTG4.0​​: Vertical ​​CD drive​​ (requires disc swaps).

    • ​​NTG4.5​​: Horizontal ​​SD card slot​​ (updates via card).

  • ​​COMAND Knob Area​​:

    • ​​NTG4.0​​: Separate “NAVI” button.

    • ​​NTG4.5​​: “MAP” button + ​​ voice key on knob​​.


​​3. Functional Tests​​

  1. ​​Check Navigation​​:

    • ​​NTG4.0​​: Insert navigation CD → Only 2D maps.

    • ​​NTG4.5​​: Insert SD card → Enable ​​3D view​​ (press “MAP” button).

  2. ​​Verify Hardware​​:

    • Remove host unit (under passenger seat):

      • Label ​​A211 870 33 89​​ → ​​NTG4.0​​

      • Label ​​A212 870 58 00​​ → ​​NTG4.5​​


​​4. Production Timeline​​

​​System​​

​​Production Period​​

​​Example Models​​

​​NTG4.0​​

2005–2008

E-Class W211, SL-Class R230

​​NTG4.5​​

2008–2012

E-Class W212, ML-Class W164

 ​​Exception​​: Some early 2009 W211 models still use NTG4.0.


​​5. Real-World Examples​​

  • ​​Scenario 1​​: 2007 E-Class with CD drive + thick screen bezels → ​​NTG4.0​​.

  • ​​Scenario 2​​: 2010 ML350 with SD navigation + 3D maps → ​​NTG4.5​​.

​​Tip​​: For ambiguous cases (e.g., 2009 transition models), check the ​​host unit label​​ or ​​VIN code​​ (SA 522 = NTG4.0).

 

Post time: Aug-08-2025