| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Production | 1997–present |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 5-door wagon |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive Front-engine, four-wheel drive |
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class is a luxury mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), first offered in 1997 as a 1998 model, and built by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz. Gradually, the M-Class became a sales success in the United States and Mexico. In terms of size, it is slotted in between the smaller GLK-Class (based on the C-Class) and the larger GL-Class, with which it shares platforms. For a short time, between the years 1999 to 2002, the M-Class was also built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria, for the European market, until it moved to part of the US market.
|
| Production | 1997–2005 |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1998–2005 |
| Assembly | Austria: Graz (1999–2002) United States: Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Engine | 2.3 L M111.970 I4 (petrol) 2.7 L OM602 I5 (t/c diesel) 3.2 L M112 E32 V6 (petrol) 3.7 L M112 E37 V6 (petrol) 4.0 L OM628 V8 (t/c diesel) 4.3 L M113 E43 V8 (petrol) 5.0 L M113 E55 V8 (petrol) 5.4 L M113 E50 V8 (petrol) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic |
| Wheelbase | 111.0 in (2,819 mm) |
| Length | 1997–02: 180.6 in (4,587 mm) 2002–05: 182.6 in (4,638 mm) AMG: 182.5 in (4,636 mm) |
| Width | 1997–02: 72.2 in (1,834 mm) 2002–05: 72.4 in (1,839 mm) AMG: 74.6 in (1,895 mm) |
| Height | 1997–02: 69.9 in (1,775 mm) 2002–05: 71.7 in (1,821 mm) AMG: 69.3 in (1,760 mm) |
| Curb weight | 4,614 lb (2,093 kg) |
Mercedes-Benz launched the first generation W163 series ML-Class in 1997 for the 1998 model year. It is a mid-sized body-on-frame SUV with seating for five, or seven with an optional third-row seat. The ML-Class was the first luxury SUV to feature electronic stability control, a system designed to detect loss of control and instantaneously intervene with selective braking to bring the vehicle back on its intended course. Furthermore, the ML-Class boasted front- and side-impact airbags with advanced occupant detection for the front passenger seat, which, helped earn the W163 the highest marks in insurance industry crash tests.
Manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in the United States, the the ML-Class launched in the North American market first as the ML 320. The ML 320 was sold internationally, with the "320" suffix alluding to the 3.2-litre V6 engine. An entry-level, manual transmission-only ML 230, fitted with a 2.3-litre inline-four was available in Europe from launch in 1997 until 2000. From launch in 1997, European markets also received the ML 270 CDI with a 2.7-litre inline-five turbodiesel engine. This unit was made available in Australia in 2000 and continued on in the W163 until being replaced upon the release of the W164 ML-Class in 2005.
Later, in 1999, the more powerful ML 430 became available with the familiar Mercedes-Benz 4.3-litre V8. This was followed by the 2000 debut of the ML 55 AMG, featuring a 5.4-litre V8 engine made by AMG, modified bodywork, and other performance features.
Before the vehicle was launched, Mercedes-Benz allowed the producers of the 1997 film The Lost World: Jurassic Park to make use of two pre-production ML-Class SUVs as a way to advertise the W163 when it was launched. As a result, a Mercedes-Benz advertisement appears before the film on original VHS copies of the film. Jeff Goldblum, the star of the film, received a complimentary ML 320 from Mercedes-Benz as a result of the tie-in.
The ML 320 was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1998 and was voted the 1998 North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show, Detroit, in January 1998. Despite this, Mercedes-Benz received considerable criticism with respect to the substandard quality of the W163. A road test on the BBC programme Top Gear revealed that the presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, could put his fingers into the gap below the rear lights and above the rear bumper. Although quality improved over the years, especially after the facelift in 2001 for the 2002 model year, the ML still ranked second last out of the 142 cars in the Top Gear Motoring Survey 2004. As a result of these quality concerns, DaimlerChrysler spent US$600 million on improvements at the Alabama factory before launching the second generation ML in 2005.
Mercedes-Benz revised and updated the W163 in 2001 for the 2002 model year. Styling updates involved the fitment of new head- and tail-lamp lenses, front and rear bumpers, new alloy wheels on most variants, the relocation of the side turn signals from the fenders to the side-view mirrors, and various interior trim changes. At the same time, the ML 430 was replaced by the 5.0-litre V8-powered ML 500 and a new 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel ML 400 CDI became available in Europe. The following year, in 2002, Mercedes-Benz launched the ML 350 fitted with a 3.7-litre V6 engine. The ML 350 replaced the ML 320 in some markets, but supplemented it in others.
The current Popemobile is based on a W163 series ML 430 and has been in service since July 2002.[1] Volkswagen had offered to build a new vehicle based on the Touareg, but Pope Benedict XVI opted to continue using his predecessor's Mercedes-Benz-manufactured vehicle.[2]
| Production | 2005–2011 |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2006–2011 |
| Assembly | United States: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Mexico: Toluca |
| Engine | 3.5 L V6 5.0 L V8 4.6 L V8 5.5 L V8 6.2 L V8 3.0 L V6 diesel 4.0 L V8 diesel |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic Hybrid: CVT |
| Wheelbase | 114.7 in (2,913 mm) |
| Length | 4788 mm (188.5 in) AMG: 189.8 in (4,821 mm) Hybrid: 188.2 in (4,780 mm) |
| Width | 1910 mm (75.2 in) AMG: 76.8 in (1,951 mm) Hybrid: 77.8 in (1,976 mm) |
| Height | 1815 mm (71.5 in) AMG: 73.3 in (1,862 mm) |
| Curb weight | 2150 kg (4740 lb) |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (X164) |
The redesigned M-class (chassis name W164) was introduced in April 2005 as a 2006 model after a showing at the North American International Auto Show in January. It was almost entirely new, with a more sporting, aerodynamic look—the coefficient of drag is down to 0.34. Mercedes-Benz has also made the new M-Class larger, measuring 150 mm longer than the first model. The M-Class was named "Best New Sport Utility Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.
Mercedes-Benz extensively publicised the US$600 million spent to update its factory and add manufacturing space for the new R-Class. According to early automotive press reports, the 2006 M-Class vehicles demonstrate vast improvements in quality.
The W164 platform used for the new M-Class is shared with the new GL-Class and is a unibody type rather than the former (W163) body-on-frame used by the M-Class vehicles produced from 1998–2005. The X164 GL-CLass, a longer seven-seater version of the W164 platform, is also available.
New features in the 2006 M-Class include the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, optional Active Curve-Illuminating Bi-Xenon headlights which "steer" in the path of the vehicle, and an adjustable-height air suspension. The manual transmission has been dropped. In most countries except US an Off-Road Pro package with locking on rear and center differential, low-range transmission and adjustable chassis clearance is available as an option.
The AMG version of the W164, the ML 63 AMG, was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as a limited edition 2007 model. It features a 6.2 L M156 V8 engine producing 510 hp (380 kW) and 465 lb·ft (630 N·m) that is handcrafted in Germany. The engine is added to an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission. The 2006 ML 63 AMG can accelerate from 0–60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.8 seconds, or from 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in just 5.0 seconds. These impressive features made the ML 63 AMG the most powerful naturally aspırated V8 SUV in the world.[3]
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class got a minor face-lift as it debuted at the 2008 New York International Auto Show.
This face-lift includes new front headlights, redesigned front and rear bumpers, new exterior mirrors, new rim choices, a larger front grille, restyled interior, and a new ML 420 CDI engine choice. The ML 280 CDI became the ML 300 CDI, the 320 CDI the 350 CDI, and the 420 CDI became the 450 CDI.
Models using Bluetec Diesel engine with urea injection were introduced in 2008 for the 2009 model year.
At the 2009 New York International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz showed their ML 450 Hybrid SUV, which was announced on 8 April 2009. The ML 450 Hybrid consumes almost 50% less fuel than the ML 550 does, even though it produces over 90% of the power generated by the V8 model. Total power generated will be 335 hp (250 kW) and 381 lb·ft (517 N·m) of torque, while getting 24 mpg-US (9.8 L/100 km) on the highway and 21 mpg-US (11 L/100 km) in the city, according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. The engine itself runs on the Atkinson cycle and by itself makes 275 hp.[4] The ML 450 was developed under the Global Hybrid Cooperation, and will only be available in the United States under lease. For the 2012 model year the Mercedes Benz ML line-up will be completely redesigned, final versions of the vehicle have not been released but have been speculated for sale in Fall 2011.[5][6] It comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission.[7]
| Production | July 2011–present |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2012–present |
| Assembly | United States: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Mexico: Toluca |
| Class | Mid-size crossover SUV |
| Engine | 3.5 L V6 4.6 L V8 5.5 L V8 2.1 L R4 diesel 3.0 L V6 diesel |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic CVT automatic (hybrid) |
| Wheelbase | 114.8 in (2,916 mm) |
| Length | 4,803 mm (189.1 in) AMG: 4,820 mm (189.8 in) Hybrid: 4,780 mm (188.2 in) |
| Width | 2,141 mm (84.3 in) AMG: 1,950 mm (76.8 in) Hybrid: 1,980 mm (77.8 in) |
| Height | 1,796 mm (70.7 in) AMG: 1,860 mm (73.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 2,150 kg (4,700 lb) |
The newly redesigned M-class (chassis name W166) was introduced in pre-production form 10 June 2011 as a 2012 model. The first customer-designated W166 rolled off the Tuscaloosa production line on 20 July.[8] It is moderately refined, taking styling cues from the new generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class. An increase in rear seat legroom has been implemented, alongside adjustable rear back-rests. It is due to launch in September 2011.
New features in the 2012 M-Class include an updated 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission to provide improved fuel economy, optional Adaptive Cruise Control (Distronic Plus), Active Lane Departure Warning System, and an adjustable-height air suspension (AirMatic).
| Calendar year | 2000 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 45,655[9] |
| 2002 | 39,680 |
| 2003 | 30,018[10] |
| 2004 | 25,681 |
| 2005 | 34,959[11] |
| 2006 | 31,632 |
| 2007 | 33,879[12] |
| 2008 | 34,320 |
| 2009 | 25,799[13] () |
| 2010 | 29,698 (766)[14] |