Sindelfingen, Germany – Mercedes-Benz has invited the international press to the unveiling of the third-generation M-Class. Although the official launch of the silver-star sport utility vehicle is only planned for the end of the summer, we have been able to discover in depth what will show the next-generation M-Class.
The Showpiece
The M-Class is one of the most important vehicles for Mercedes-Benz. Internationally, its sales occupy the third position behind those of C and E classes. In Canada, the sport utility vehicle is ranking second in importance behind the C-Class sedan. In North America, almost one in two buyers is female, and the manufacturer estimates that, globally, about 85% of the owners of M Class vehicles are head of a family.
Available Versions
In Canada, Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer four variants of M-Class. Two of them will be offered next fall (ML 350 BLUETEC and ML 350), while two others (ML 550 and ML 63 AMG) will show up in spring 2012. Among them, the BLUETEC version can be expected to be the most popular one. According to Michael Minielly, of Public Relations at Mercedes-Benz Canada, the market penetration reaches 70% in each segment where Mercedes-Benz is offering a Diesel motor version.
Moreover, it is an improved version of the 3 liter V6 turbodiesel motor which becomes available to the new generation. This motor promises to be more frugal than ever. Mercedes-Benz announces an average consumption of 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers (European calculations).
A real Sport Utility Vehicle
If certain sport utility vehicles are all but useful off the beaten track, Mercedes-Benz swears that the new M-Class will gain a following on that count. Thanks amongst other things to the ON&OFFROAD ensemble, the driver will have a choice of six driving modes in order to cope with surfaces of all kinds. The M-Class has been submitted to more than 7 millions of kilometers of tests under all practical conditions.
More Secure than Ever
The new M-Class manages to boast itself to be the most secure ever. The list of security devices is practically infinite and includes a few novelties. Among these, the ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM is designed to adjust the suspension in real time to balance the vehicle in bends when the sensors perceive some rolling.
A Comfortable Passenger Compartment
Finally, let’s take a look inside. Mercedes-Benz proposes a completely redesigned passenger compartment and that is more sumptuous than ever. More spacious, the passenger compartment is meant to be more ergonomic, Mercedes-Benz having decided to make a few corrections to the positioning of a number of commands. However, each M-Class will provide complete equipment, especially for new technologies: quality sound system, navigation system, access to Google and Facebook, as well as a variety of applications to be introduced subsequently.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz will have taken four years to develop its famous sport utility vehicle. Time and efforts invested demonstrate how much the vehicle plays an important role for the manufacturer in its arena. Anticipated for release in the fall, the price range of the M-Class will be known a little while before its launch.
Strong points
- Successful silhouette
- Diesel motorization
- Promising off-road capacities
- General quality of the product
