The first overhaul since 1997, the new ML will continue to be built in Mercedes' Alabama plant, in which they have just invested $600 million. This SUV is an evolution of the current model and according to Mercedes officials, the M-class is now better on- and off-road and is more refined than the outgoing ML. The new shape of the SUV has dramatically lowered the drag coefficient from Cd 0.40 to 0.34. Four engines should be offered when the truck arrives in showrooms. Two of them are diesels, that will initially not be available in Canada, at lease for the time being: one is the now familiar turbocharged 3.2L V6 found in the E 320 CDI that develops 224 hp and 376 lb/ft of torque. The other is a 2.8L turbo V6 putting out 190 hp and 325 lb/ft of torque. The other two engines are the more common place 3.5L V6 and 5.0L V8.Also new for the entire M-Class is a 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. Coupled with a sophisticated AWD system, downhill speed regulation, start off assist and special off-road ABS brakes, the new ML will take you just about anywhere in style. Price: None have been announced.Availability: Beginning of April 2005 Auto123.com's impressions: Can we expect another installment of Jurassic Park? All kidding aside, the ML is certainly better looking and should be a better performer than the previous generation.
2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class at Toronto