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2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec 4Matic [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Diesel, Luxury

Proof That There's Still Life Left In The SUV Game

It's getting harder and harder to hate SUVs these days. As manufacturers continue to walk down their own personal Green Mile toward stiffer CAFE standards, engineers have been working double-time to come up with creative ways to increase fuel economy without putting drivability or power on the sacrificial altar. As a result, the once-lumbering sport utilities of old have matured into smooth-riding, even-keeled unibody machines with the manners of significantly smaller models. Few vehicles embody that change quite as poignantly as the 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec.

The M-Class has entered into its third generation of production, and the new model now comes equipped with more power and efficiency while maintaining last year's MSRP. Designers have also taken the time to iron some of the awkward out of the SUV's design with an improved front fascia and other tweaks, and there's more standard technology onboard than ever before. Continue reading to find out why the 2012 ML350 BlueTec 4Matic is the best reason we've seen yet to quit worrying and love the SUV.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec 4Matic [w/video]

2012 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec 4Matic [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows off updated design, new diesel engines

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Mercedes-Benz

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class - Click either image for high-res gallery

Mercedes-Benz will launch its 2012 M-Class crossover in the United States this fall, complete with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines as well as some styling updates. GLobally, the M-Class will be initially offered in ML250 Bluetec, ML350 Bluetec and ML350 BlueEfficiency designations, all of which are mated to 4Matic all-wheel drive. Hybrid and AMG variants are also said to be in the works.

The base ML250 will be powered by a 2.1-liter diesel four-cylinder, rated at 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, while the ML350 Bluetec uses Merc's revised 3.0-liter diesel V6, good for 258 hp and 457 lb-ft. The gas-powered ML350 BlueEfficiency uses the direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 now found in the C- and E-Class vehicles, generating 306 hp and 273 lb-ft in this application. All three engines will be mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Since the 2012 ML shares its platform with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, an optional self-leveling Airmatic suspension with selective damping is available, as is a new "On&Offroad" package that offers six different transmission modes to match driving conditions. Wheel sizes range anywhere from 17 to 21 inches in diameter.

Inside, it's the usual smattering of Mercedes-Benz style and technology, though we like how things have been greatly smoothed out versus the current ML. In addition, the COMAND infotainment system has been updated for 2012, and now offers Internet access.

We'll be driving the 2012 M-Class in the coming months, so stay tuned for our full impressions.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class shows off updated design, new diesel engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG gets updated exterior, little else

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Mercedes-Benz

2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all of the hype surrounding the BMW's M-badged X5 and X6, as well as the renewed Porsche Cayenne range, it's easy to forget that Mercedes-Benz has its own super-fast sport-ute, the ML63 AMG. As its name suggests, this top-rung ML is fitted with the same 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 that we've come to love in the rest of the automaker's AMG lineup, good for 503 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in this application.

We expect to see an all-new AMG M-Class in the next couple of years, but for now, Mercedes-Benz has updated the ML63 with very subtle exterior tweaks, including darkened headlamps and taillamps, a refreshed hood and tweaked front and rear underguards (in chrome, of course). From there, not much else changes - the seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission is still in place, routing all of that forward thrust to all four wheels, measuring 20 inches in diameter (21s can be had as an option).

In the ML AMG's next generation, expect to see the automaker's brand new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 under the hood, good for around 544 horsepower and a pavement-churning 590 pound-feet of torque. High-powered SUVs and crossovers aren't the most practical of automotive choices these days, but we're happy to still see them moving forward. After all, sometimes you just need to get the kids to soccer practice in extremely short order.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG gets updated exterior, little else

Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG gets updated exterior, little else originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-generation Mercedes-Benz ML caught winter testing

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes ML spy shots -- Click above for high-res image gallery

The next iteration of the Mercedes ML-class has been caught braving the European cold and snow for some testing as it gets ready for its debut.

There will probably be plenty of subtle stylistic changes to distinguish it from the current model, but the biggest news about the coming SUV is that it will be smaller. Of course, it's hard to tell from the cloak of darkness camouflage on the prototype pictured, but it does look slightly less imposing than the current hauler. Early indications are that the various engine offerings in the next ML will focus on efficiency over performance, but we suspect it won't be a slouch dynamically.

We can expect it to appear in the middle of 2011 as a 2012 model.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes ML Spy Shots

Spy Shots: Next-generation Mercedes-Benz ML caught winter testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG

John Neff — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:36:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz

Click either image to view high-res galleries

Mercedes-Benz has taken a chisel to its original SUV and updated both the M-Class and the high-performance ML 63 AMG model. The M-Class has come a long way since it first debuted as a competent albeit small SUV with doughy styling. It's grown into a much larger shape that's crisper and more expensive looking, and MB has augmented that this year with tweaks to both the front and rear ends. The headlight shape is completely new and dips down toward the grille now, while a new radiator opening between the widely set fog lamps is particularly dominant. A faux undergaurd completes the look of manufactured manliness, while a new rear bumper, tweaked rear taillights and larger side view mirrors round out the exterior upgrades. The interior also gets updated with richer materials and a four-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel. MB has also added a host of infotainment options to the order list, as well.

The ML 63 AMG also gets the exterior tweaks, but adds a meaner front bumper with an even larger radiator grille, bigger fog lamps and a corrugated chromed undergaurd that trumps the base model's in both its inability to guard anything level of gaudiness. The grille also features just two horizontal cross bars rather than the cheese grader effect on standard MLs. The chrome undergaurd also appears on the new rear apron through which two pairs of chrome tailpipes peek out. New 20-inch 5-spoke AMG wheels look nice, but MB also has 21-inchers available for the ballers out there. The engine, however, is where it's at. The 6.3L AMG V8 produces 510 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, which gets fed through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC transmission into the SUV's permanent all-wheel-drive system that's split 40:60 front to rear. The suspension and brakes have also been AMG-ified. Clearly, you want to move to the right lane when this thing appears in your rearview mirror.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz updates M-Class and ML 63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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