Mercedes claims that the M-class was the original SUV, and now hopes to further the breed with the announcement of the new car, to debut at the
2005 Detroit Motor Show. It will go up against the dynamic new
Range Rover Sport and the imminent BMW X5 update in a battle of the luxury off-roaders.
The first M-class started selling in 1997, so understandably its chassis in particular feels dated and a little agricultural now, especially up against the likes of the excellent
BMW X5. The new M-class promises to be more of a car than before, with aluminium double wishbone front suspension and a sophisticated multi-link set-up at the rear. In an interesting marketing move, customers can actually specify an "off-road package", making Mercedes-Benz the first manufacturer to openly acknowledge that buyers if its SUV may not necessarily use it on anything but well-surfaced tarmac. There will be two variants of the four-wheel drive system available, the more extreme option including a high/low transfer 'box, selectable differential locks and a different air suspension system allowing huge ground clearance (up to 291mm) and fording depth (600mm). A different tune of the air suspension is utilised in the on-road (i.e. most) cars, with adaptive damping employed to find the best compromise between ride and handling.
We don't expect the M-class to be a match for the sporty X5 and Range Rover Sport, but the Merc should at least match them on its luxury appointments and its list of possible options and safety equipment. The standard airbags, curtain bags, and belt tensioners are joined by "Neck-Pro" - head restraints that move to protect the passengers from neck injury in the event of being rear-ended. An option at launch will be the "Pre-Safe" system, which detects the inevitable accident and takes measures to lessen its effects on the occupants, such as tightening seat belts and even moving the seats.
Four models will be available to start with. The range-topping ML500 is powered by a petrol V8 pumping out 306bhp. The only other petrol engine is found in the ML350, delivering 272bhp and a peak torque figure of 350Nm. Most buyers in Europe will no doubt opt for one of the two excellent diesel models: the ML280 CDI (190bhp, 440Nm) or the ML320 CDI, which is claimed to have 510Nm of torque from just 1600rpm, as well as a peak power figure of 224bhp. It is worth noting that at the time of writing, we have just tried BMW's new twin sequential turbo 3.0-litre straight-six diesel (as fitted to the 535d), and when that is inevitably fitted to the X5, it will eclipse the ML320 with over 270bhp and a whopping 560Nm of torque. No fuel consumption figures were provided for the M-class, though there is a mention of a cut in increase in fuel economy by as much as 10% thanks to the much-improved aerodynamics of the M-class.
Though still seen as a suitable status symbol for footballers' wives
et al, the outgoing M-class is pretty much a barn door with a large pointed star stuck to it. It wasn't difficult for Mercedes to ease the passage of air over the surface of the new car. A coefficient of drag of as low as 0.34 is quoted. Perhaps of more importance to more potential buyers is that the new M-class looks every inch the luxury, aspirational SUV. The sharp, sculpted design language pioneered on the latest Mercedes SLK is carried over to the M-class, with prominent wheelarch bodywork and a machined metal-look front grille.
Inside the new M-class, it is business as usual for Mercedes, with emphasis on high quality materials and luxury. The US market is obviously one of the more important for the M-class, and the movement of the gear selector to the steering column reflects this. The only transmission option mentioned so far is an advanced seven-speed automatic.
Expect to see the M-class at the
2005 Detroit Auto Show ahead of its US launch. UK buyers will start receiving cars in autumn 2005.
Shane O' Donoghue - 14 Dec 2004
