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2012 Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC w/ On&Offroad Package

Matt Davis — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel, Luxury, Off-Road, Quick Spins

Getting Deliciously Dirty With Clean Diesel

Back in July, our man Bowman got his first chance to drive the new Mercedes M-Class in the wilds of Montana, and he came away particularly impressed by the ML350 BlueTEC 4Matic. It's great news that this updated diesel powertrain finally got to the United States in November, but in Montana, we missed out on the new-generation On&Offroad Package and innovative Active Curve System.

Fortunately, we were recently afforded the chance to test all of this goodness over a small paved circuit in Austria, as well as up and down a truly hellacious off-road course. By the end of the day, we were convinced that this ML350 diesel 4x4 thus equipped can finally take it to a similarly optioned BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne. And, as Mercedes Germany tells us, North American buyers will at long last get a crack at this On&Offroad harder-core package for 2013. Are they at risk of messing with the winning on-road recipe that has made the M-Class the world's best-selling premium SUV, with over 1.2 million sold?

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC w/ On&Offroad Package

2012 Mercedes ML350 BlueTEC w/ On&Offroad Package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 priced at $49,865*, same as 2011 model

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

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

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Those are apparently words to live by for Mercedes-Benz - the automaker has released a slew of information on its updated 2012 M-Class, yet the starting price remains the same as the sticker on the 2011 version. The U.S.-built luxury SUV is ready to give more, without charging for it.

Initially offered in two flavors, the gas-sipping ML 350 has a starting MSRP of $49,865 and the diesel-drinking BlueTec ML 350 will cost you $51,365 (*including destination). Both versions of the 2012 M-Class get a new front-end that features the familiar three-pointed star, an encroaching chrome "skid plate" and a set of LED daytime running lights.

Under the hood, each M-Class features an updated power source. The ML 350 is motivate by a new 3.5-liter direct-injection V6 engine, which produces 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Also new is the seven-speed automatic transmission to which the motor pairs. If you prefer diesel to traditional gasoline, the ML 350 BlueTec boasts a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that's rated at 240 horses and an impressive 455 lb-ft of torque. Both M-Class variants come standard with 4Matic all-wheel-drive.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class also benefits from upgrades to its interior. Reading like a Hemingway novel, the list of standard features is quite impressive in length while the available options are equally impressive - especially the iPad docking stations built into the front headrests.

What else is on that list of features? Click past the jump for the full press release, and be sure to take a look at the next-generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class in the included gallery.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class priced at $49,865*, same as 2011 model

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class priced at $49,865*, same as 2011 model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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