Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off of the newly redesigned M-Class this morning. And the overall response seems to be a collective yawn.
It's not that the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is ugly, it's just that there seems to be some discordance with the new Benz angles and face stuck to a classic M shape. Cover portions of the new truck -- which shares a platform with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee -- and you've got a nice looking SUV. Taken as a whole, however, and we're not sold.
Either way, the M-Class will be offered in three trims at launch; ML250 Bluetec 4Matic, ML 350 Bluetec 4Matic and ML 350 4Matic BlueEfficiency. 4Matic of course means permanent all wheel drive and all will be equipped with a seven-speed automatic. AMG and Hybrid versions will be released later.
There's only one gasoline model at launch and that's in the ML 350 4Matic BlueEfficiency. It's a 3.5-liter V6 with DI making 306 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. 0-60 happens in 7.6 seconds.
The diesel models are more interesting (as they always are for Americans): The ML 250 gets a 2.1-liter four making 204 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque that returns 36-39 mpg and a range -- with the 18.5 gallon tank -- of 720 miles.
More fun is the ML 350 Bluetec with a 3.0-liter V6 cranking out 258 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. 32-35 mpg and 0-60 in under 7.4 seconds.
1487 says:
10:45 AM, 06/ 7/11
exterior isnt an improvement and its time for MB to invest in new climate controls that dont have the numbers printed on the dial. Interior is much better but still very angular and conservative.
cr_driver says:
11:16 AM, 06/ 7/11
Not my cup of tea
Looks like a grown up version of the GLK, which already was too square and chunky for me.
If you already liked the M, for sure this new one will carry on the torch.
No diggin the interior either.
Sure as heck I dont like that steering wheel!!
Nothing exciting, must be cool for old people I guess.
lostboyz says:
11:21 AM, 06/ 7/11
considering you can probably buy a topped out JGC for less than a base M, JGC wins by far. Especially when the 3.0 diesel makes its way into the JGC next year.
cjasis says:
11:23 AM, 06/ 7/11
not attractive.
1487 says:
11:42 AM, 06/ 7/11
it shares platform with JGC, doesnt look better and will cost far more. Tough sell. At least the interior is up to MB standards finally.
1487 says:
12:05 PM, 06/ 7/11
those seats are a direct copy of the pleated seat design from the A8
mercedesfan says:
01:21 PM, 06/ 7/11
Way too chunky with the "Sport" package. This design is already too tall and snubbed, but the sport package just exacerbates it. I don't necessarily think it's ugly, but it certainly wouldn't get my vote for attractive. It is just kind of blah.
I'm a fan of the interior, though. The current ML is a little chintzy in some places and this one looks like a luxury crossover should. The design is clearly influenced by Land Rover, but there are worse companies to take styling cues from.
@1487,
The numbers are not printed on the climate control dial. The outer metallic ring turns and the temperature that is selected lights up. Also, MB does have two different climate control setups. The one pictured here is the one used on most of the lower-end Mercedes models while the high end models get digital controls that are adjusted by a toggle (like the E and S-Class).
Also, the seat pleats are pretty standard-fare for Designo and have been since the 2007 S-Class. They look more like a copy of the S-Class seats than a copy of the Audi A8.
1487 says:
01:25 PM, 06/ 7/11
well I hadnt seen those seats in a MB, thanks for the tip. I dont like the climate controls and they have been around for a while, its time for a fully digital setup. The M class isnt exactly a low end product in my book.
agnh says:
02:16 PM, 06/ 7/11
I miss my 2002 V8 ML500. Reviews had it at 0 - 60 in about 6.7, which seemed accurate and I would easily average 22mpg even with a heavy foot.