Mercedes-Benz has released pics and details of its next gen M-Class SUV, which will premiere at the Frankfurt show. They’ve taken the evolutionary route in terms of styling, which masks the fact that this M-Class rides on new underpinnings. No major change in recipe too – the ML still sits five in two rows.
Although the new car’s 2,915 mm wheelbase is unchanged, it’s 24 mm longer, 16 mm wider and 19 mm lower than the car it replaces. But at 4,804 mm long and 1,926 mm wide, the Merc is still 53 mm shorter than rival BMW X5, which is also slightly (7 mm) wider. Because of the familiar proportions and design, the ML is immediately recognisable as one. Perhaps Merc surveys showed that most are happy with the current looks.
What’s clearly all new is the cabin design, a big upgrade from the dated dash of the current car. The elements are the same, but the housing isn’t. As you can see here, it also looks very luxurious with a leather bound dash top, matte finish wood trim and quilted hide on the seats and door cards.
Three engines will be offered at launch, including a small four-cylinder diesel unit. It’s a twin-turbo 2.1-litre oil burner in the ML 250 Bluetec that produces 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque. That’s very impressive as it’s just 41 PS and 40 Nm short of the X5 30d despite displacing almost one litre less. For something we know, the N47D engine in the F10 520d does 184 hp and 380 Nm. Combined with stop-start and brake energy recuperation, the ML 250 Bluetec achieves 28% better economy than the current six-pot ML 300 CDI.
A step up is the ML 350 Bluetec with a 3.0L V6 diesel engine. This one has 258 PS and 619 Nm of torque. This should be good for a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h run before topping out at 224 km/h.
For the petrol fans in America and Asia, the ML 350 BlueEfficiency comes with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that pushes out 306 PS and 370 Nm of torque. A twin-turbo V8 powered ML63 AMG is in the works, as is a diesel hybrid. The latter will add an electric motor to the 2.1L diesel in the ML 250 Bluetec to make it the eco champ of the range. Autocar UK’s sources say that the hybrid will have 19.2 km/l economy.
All engines are paired to Merc’s 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system. There’s also selective damping suspension and the optional Airmatic self-leveling air suspension plus Active Curve System with dynamic roll stabilisation. All these chassis tricks are controlled by knobs between the seats.
Full gallery after the jump.
[zenphotopress number=999 album=2295]
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The front looks like Mercedes CL but the back looks like….. “just plain ugly”.
Looks like Naza Citra.
Superb look. Nice SUV thus from Merc.
Compare to Q7, this SUV is only an average.
This looks like a Toyota Fortuner
front is CL back is lexus LS 02
Interior is lovely, but the same can’t be said about the exterior, Merc-ML MK2 looks every bit the mercedes and an off roader, it looked so awesome , this looks fat, uninspiring ,more like a rebadged ssyangyong than a merc….
Mercedes truly has class and its never fade
Nothing can beat Audi even the Mercedes.
Despite the newly designed rear lights, this car is more like a facelifted one instead of a totally new replacement model.
The aircond vents also resemble those on the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne. :s
And I think sedan-dedicated headlamps don’t work on SUVs.
impressive 2.1 diesel engine, 500NM is an awesome number coming from such a small displacement.
I totally agree with you guys on the exterior. The previous generation ML looks better more macho & mean. The new model looks like C-Class beefed up like the previous Generation Cayenne. What has happend to Merc designers. The interior is nice more plasent to look at. The new Cayenne is state of the art……
like the front view, it looks handsome
some cars are not photogenic but look damn surprisingly good in real life. for eg: the new 5 series especially the “ass”. Nevertheless, this piece of machine really produce damn amazing number of torque!
Benzs r way better looking than the ugly BMW SUV!
front :hyundai santa fe
rear :subaru forester
I dont like the design. It is not groundbreaking. I wonder why german has lost their creativity these days. I pfer Audi’s design but nowdays all model in Audi ranges are looalike. Anyway the design lookd more solid than the predecessor, the profile is sleeker while it seems Mercedes tries hard to regain it’s interior design of ‘build to last”. This one is closer towards the Merc heritage.
Front section looks VERY nice! They gave it a nice sporty look…
The rear lights on the other hand… Looks like something from Ssang Yong…
“the N47D engine in the F10 520d does 184 hp and 380 Nm” i noticed this line…is it Paul trying to give some hint about his car engine xP haha
the looks will grow on you eventually, just like the new Porsche Cayenne’s rear, in real life it looks stunning.
hmmm… how come merce now a day very korean made (hyundai) look?
How come is doent sell well as compare to other german marque SUV?
I like the wood trim so much!!!
ugly design