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 Automotive Intelligence News

News of  June 13, 2001

 

News on the M-Class: Dynamic design, powerful V8 engines and state-of-the-art technology for model year 2002 

M-Class

Photo: DaimlerChrysler

  • Over 1100 new components make the off-roader even more attractive 
  • Redesigned bumpers, headlamps and exterior mirrors
  • Powerful V8 petrol and diesel engines from the S-Class 
  • Windowbags as standard, bi-xenon headlamps available on request 
  • High-grade interior with newly developed automatic climate control 

Stuttgart – More safety, more dynamism and even more motoring fun – these were the primary objectives during the development of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class, which celebrates its market premiere in autumn 2001. Specialists at Mercedes have significantly upgraded the design, interior, technology and standard appointments of this attractive and very successful four-wheel-drive model series in line with customer requirements. All in all, more than 1100 components have been newly developed or modified during the course of this facelift. 

The M-Class has now been a bestseller for four years, and has already captured the enthusiasm of more than 300,000 male and female customers worldwide. With a market share of up to 30 percent the Mercedes-Benz is among the most successful models in this market segment in many European countries -- and among the safest, as the American "Insurance Institute for Highway Safety" confirmed after a series of crash tests. 

Design: New front and rear ends for an even more dynamic appearance 

Even at first glance the model year 2002 M-Class is easily distinguishable from its predecessor: the redesigned bumpers at both the front and rear emphasise the dynamic, powerful character of this four-wheel-drive model even more, while the new headlamps with their modern, clear lens look and the aerodynamically contoured exterior mirror housings with integral direction indicators lend additional elegance to the overall appearance. All detachable body components on the ML 270 CDI and ML 320 – the bumpers, protective side strips and exterior mirror housings – are now also painted in the vehicle colour. 

New, 17-inch light-alloy wheels as standard and all-season wide-base tyres of size 255/60 R 17 (five and six-cylinder models) and 275/55 R 17 (eight-cylinder models) also emphasise the dynamic design when viewed from the side. 

Interior: High-grade fine wood trim and redesigned centre console 

In the interior of the M-Class the eye is drawn to a redesigned centre console, which Mercedes-Benz is upgrading with fine wood trim as standard for all model variants in future. New features of the centre console include additional stowage compartments between the front seats, while rear passengers benefit from an improved, double cup holder, an illuminated ashtray, a twelve-volt socket and new, individually adjustable ventilation nozzles. 

Automatic climate control: Newly developed system with an auxiliary fan for the rear 

Mercedes engineers have completely redeveloped the standard automatic climate control system and equipped it with the latest technical features. Attractively styled controls with integral keys for the automatic mode, air recirculation and other functions ensure convenient operation and adjustment of this highly efficient system, which also allows the climate in the rear to be suitably adjusted thanks to an auxiliary fan and separate ventilation nozzles. 

ML 400 CDI: One of the world’s most powerful diesel engines 

With its electronically controlled 4-ETS four-wheel drive the M-Class has proved its worth as an automobile for any occasion – or better, for all road conditions. Two powerful, new high-torque engines will provide an even more outstanding driving experience on both metalled and unmetalled roads in future. These power units have been adopted from the Mercedes-Benz S-Class: the V8 diesel engine (184 kW/250 hp) and the five-litre V8 petrol engine (215 kW/292 hp). 

The eight-cylinder diesel unit in the new ML 400 CDI, which is equipped with common-rail direct injection, a dual turbocharger, four-valve technology and numerous other high-tech systems, is one of the world’s most powerful car diesel engines. It accelerates this four-wheel-drive vehicle from standstill to 100 km/h in just 8.1 seconds, provides a maximum speed of 213 km/h and is happy with an NEDC fuel consumption of only 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Powerful torque of 560 Newton metres, on stream at just 1700 rpm, ensures exemplary elasticity and lively intermediate sprints. 

The fuel tank capacity for all M-Class engine variants has been increased to 83 litres, enabling the new ML 400 CDI to cover approx. 840 kilometres without refuelling. 

ML 500: 292-hp V8 power plant for the highest demands 

The new ML 500, which replaces the current ML 430, offers an even better performance. Its V8 engine develops a torque of 440 Newton metres from 2700 rpm and accelerates the M-Class from standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.7 seconds. The maximum speed of the new ML 500 is 221 km/h. 

Externally the new V8-models in the M-Class are distinguishable by discreet chrome trim on the radiator grille vanes, on the door handles and on the handle of the tailgate, as well as by their special wheel design. 

In future the status of the ML 55 AMG, with its 255-kW/347-hp high-performance V8 engine, as the top-of-the-line model in the M-Class range will be emphasised even more strongly by a silver-painted radiator grille. 

In addition to the two new V8 models ML 400 CDI and ML 500, as well as the ML 55 AMG, the five-cylinder diesel engine of the ML 270 CDI and the V6 petrol engine of the ML 320 continue to be available for the M-Class. 

Safety: Windowbags included as standard equipment 

Mercedes-Benz is providing even more comprehensive occupant protection in the M-Class with standard windowbags, which instantly deploy across the insides of the side windows like a curtain in the event of a lateral collision. Around 200 centimetres long and 500 millimetres high, these air cushions supplement the protective action of the sidebags in the doors. 

Additional driving safety is also provided by the innovative bi-xenon headlamps, which Mercedes-Benz has previously used in the top coupés of the CL-Class. Thanks to gas discharge technology, these headlamps generate twice the lighting power of conventional halogen headlamps and ensure even better illumination of the road surface both with dipped and high beam. In conjunction with these bi-xenon headlamps Mercedes-Benz provides a sensor-activated headlamp beam control system and a high-pressure cleaning system for the transparent headlamp lenses.

Like all the latest Mercedes passenger car models, the M-Class will also feature a special light sensor on the windscreen that automatically switches on the external vehicle lights when dusk falls. Known as Headlamp Assist, this system is standard equipment in the four-wheel-drive M-Class. At the same time, the parking aid PARKTRONIC will become available as optional equipment for the M-Class. 

Telecommunications: SMS messages on the COMAND display 

A new range of mobile and fixed-installation car telephones will enable Mercedes customers to read and compile SMS (Short Message Service) messages on the screen of the optional COMAND operating and display system in future. 

 (June 6, 2001)

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