January 11, 2005

Larger Mercedes-Benz M-Class offered with diesel and gas engines

Detroit, Michigan - Dr. Eckhard Cordes, Member of Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG, unveiled the new M-Class to journalists from around the world today. "With this completely redeveloped premium SUV we add a new chapter to the success story of its predecessor," explained Cordes during his first press conference as Head of the Mercedes Car Group.

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The new M-Class is available with three new engines, a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, a more effective four-wheel drive system, Airmatic air suspension and the anticipatory occupant protection system Pre-Safe.

The U.S.-built M-Class will go on sale in the US and Canada in the spring of next year and in Europe next summer.

The new M-Class is 150 mm longer (now 4780 mm), 71 mm wider (now 1911 mm) and 5 mm lower (now 1815 mm with roof rails) than its predecessor. The wheelbase has grown by 95 mm to 2915 mm.

Three of the four engines available for the 2005 model are new and outstrip the output and torque of the power units for the outgoing model by up to 38 per cent. New drive-system technology and impressive aerodynamics (the Cd value is down to 0.34 from the previous 0.40) combine to cut fuel consumption by as much as ten per cent.

190 horsepower and 224 horsepower V6 diesel engines with third-generation common-rail direct injection are new. The diesel models burn just 9.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres making the new M-Class one of the most economical off-roaders in its class. Another new arrival is the V6 gasoline engine powering the ML 350, with 272 horsepower. The engine range is headed by the eight-cylinder in the ML 500, which now has an output of 306 hp. Mercedes' unique seven-speed automatic transmission is standard in all variants of the new M-Class.

More News from the 2005 Detroit Auto Show ....