Method for the longitudinal guidance of a vehicle in relation to a leading vehicle driving in front by using an electronic distance-keeping system, and distance- keeping system for a vehicle

A method for longitudinal guidance of a vehicle relative to a leading vehicle driving in front by using an electronic distance-keeping system, includes providing an environmental parameter relating to an environment of the vehicle, providing a target distance at which the vehicle is intended to follow the leading vehicle, providing acceleration and/or braking information relating to the leading vehicle, assigning the leading vehicle to one of at least two different, predefined driving behavior classes based on the environmental parameter and the acceleration and/or braking information, and determining an at least temporarily permitted deviation from the target distance based on the assigned driving behavior class. The distance-keeping system is used to at least temporarily longitudinally guide the vehicle as following the leading vehicle based on the target distance and the permitted deviation. A distance-keeping system for a vehicle is also provided.