Roughing It In Style: The New Mercedes M-Class (Tons Of Pictures!)
The other day, Daimler unveiled its third generation of the M-Klasse SUV, and it has big plans for it. When it’s available at dealers some time this fall, Daimler expects to sell boatloads of it to regain lost ground in the luxury race. There will be a three models, and there will be lots of pictures after the jump …
The ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC is a 204 hp fuel miser. It uses only 6 liters per 100 km (39 MPG, definitely non-EPA). Most of all, it will demand its next fuel stop after 1,000 miles. Which allows you to make a mad dash through for instance Libya without a single stop. that delivers 204 hp and can accelerate from a standing start to 60mph in about 9.0 seconds with a top speed of 130mph.
Next up is the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC with 258 hp and the V6 diesel can accelerate to 60mph in 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 140 mph.
For those in a hurry, there is the 306 hp gas engine ML 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY with a top speed of 146mph.
To make a long story short:
ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATICML 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCYNumber of cylinders466Displacement cc214329873498Rated ouput kW (hp)150 (204)190 (258)225 (306)Max torque Nm 500620370NEDC combined l/100 km6.0 – 6.56.8 – 7.48.5 – 8.8 g CO2 / km 158179199Fuel saving %-28-24-25Acceleration 97.47.60 – 100 km/h s Top speed km/h210224235Emissions standardEU6EU6EU5All three of them promise fuel savings of around 25 percent over the predecessor, which is the green, make that blue thing to do.
Tired of the “E” and “S” transmission modes? The M-Class presents you with a bewildering choice of six modes:
● Automatic – covers most everyday driving operations
● Offroad 1 – light terrain, dirt roads and tracks
● Offroad 2 – challenging off-road terrain with hilly stretches
● Winter – for driving in wintry conditions on slippery roads, on snow,
● Sport – more adventurous, dynamic driving on winding roads
● Trailer – optimises moving off, manoeuvring and braking with a trailer
Got that?
In the Gizmo & Doo-Dads Dept., there are electronic helpers that let you start on a hill without rolling back. There is one that lets you go down the other side at a moderate speed. An optional Active Curve System compensates for the roll angle when going through a turn.
The standard package includes drowsiness detection (for those long hauls between fuel stops,) the anticipatory safety system PRE‑SAFE® and a tyre pressure loss warning system, daptive brake lights and Brake Assist (BAS).
Optionally, you can have:
● Intelligent Light System, ILS, with specific lighting functions
● Night View Assist Plus with automatic person recognition
● Speed Limit Assist (standard feature of the COMAND Online option)
● Lane Keeping Assist – active/passive
● Blind Spot Assist – active/passive
● DISTRONIC PLUS
● BAS PLUS (in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS)
● PRE-SAFE® Brake with autonomous braking (in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS)
There is even “REAL LIFE SAFETY, which is derived primarily from what happens in a real accident situation.”
Amazing.
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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This could be hyyuge for the old rich ladies - the interior upholstery is essentially the inside of a designer purse! Kudos to MB for having the balls to make an aggressive styling more for something that's often overlooked - but it just looks so feminine at first glance.
Is diamond stitching really supposed to be luxurious? Everytime I see it I think of the inside of a coffin and my guitar case.