Mercedes-Benz even the score with arch-rivals with the good-to-look and fun-to-drive new M-Class
Everyone wants one; be they air-kissing celebrities, who walk the red carpet, or entrepreneurs shuttling between a meeting and the golf course or powerful politicians travelling with a convoy of bodyguards. And if you live in a metro, then you will definitely spot one at the next traffic signal. Luxury sUvs have been an object of desire for people from different walks of life. it is a matter of pride for the buyer and manufacturers alike. Premium car-makers fight the fiercest battles in this segment to snatch the top position from their rivals.
Closer home, there is immense pressure on Mercedes-benz india from the likes of audi, bMw, Porsche, range rover and now even from volkswagen in the sUv segment. so to counter the attack, Mercedes have re-loaded and launched an all-new, third-generation and very impressive M-Class in india. this new-generation ML claims to be several shades superior in every respect to the outgoing model and even its rivals in comfort, ride or performance. Let’s take a closer look and find out where the Mercedes-Benz SUV has actually managed to meet the expectations.
Style
The exterior has a strong aMg influence with sharp lines and edges that give the new ML a distinctive character and, at the same time, maintains the benz family design. it sure has greater road presence than its predecessor and appears pretty aggressive. the inverted ‘v’ shape and sump guard on the bumper, all new headlamps along with a wide grille and large, chrome three-pointed star badge leave a lasting impression. the detail lines on the bonnet with aMg type air ducts add to the aggressive stance. bold wheel-arches merge with the sharp character lines that run all the way to the rear door and look fantastic.
The signature wrap-around glass from the C-pillar to the tailgate, which has been part of the persona of the previous generation of the ML, has also been carried forward, making it easy to recognise at a glance. the boot-lid is wide and convenient to load luggage. then there’s the convenient easy PaCk feature that not only opens or shuts the lid automatically at the press of a button, but also holds it at the desired angle. the new, e-Class-type LeD tail-lamps further add to the freshness of the exterior design. Large 20” (265/45 r20) aMg-inspired, star-shaped alloy wheels underline the sporty nature of this SUV.
As i mentioned earlier, this is an all-new vehicle and is now longer by 23 mm and wider by 15 mm than its predecessor and is lower in height by 19 mm, making it more aerodynamic. Moreover, the the lowered suspension, under-body panelling, roof and exterior mirror housings give it one of the best ‘Cd’ value in the segment. it looks like nothing else in the market, yet seems to be undoubtedly crafted at stuttgart. the new ML shakes off the conservative and ageing image of the outgoing model with it fresh, bold and very sporty design.
Comfort
The interior has been painstakingly crafted, with almost nothing to complain about. You get perforated, Designo leather upholstery and several appointment options like piano black plastic, brushed metal and classic wood that make your heart skip a beat. The seats are comfortable, can be electronically adjusted in various ways and come with a memory button. Obviously, there is the COMAND system with a bigger seven-inch colour display, now with 10 GB music storage space and the LINGUATRONIC voice command to search music.
The steering wheel comes equipped with controls for the music system and phone and is fitted with peddle-shifters. Even the gear selector, as in most Mercedes cars, is located on the steering column. There’s an electrically powered sunroof and media connector in the front armrest’s storage area. The rear seats are wide and offer good under-thigh support and there’s ample knee room. However, it would have been ideal for Indian buyers if it also had third-row seating. Having said that, the 690 litres of luggage space is impressive.
The driving position is good as you sit high, which gives you much better visibility. At the same time, it is reassuring that there are several assistance systems actively keeping an eye on things. For instance, the ATTENTION ASSIST that reminds the driver to take a break if he’s drowsy. There are features like Active Parking Assist, THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control with new air vent on the B-pillar for rear passengers, 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive with 50:50 power distribution ideal for off-road use. The PRE-SAFE system recognises critical situations, while Brake Assist (BAS) is always ready to deliver maximum braking force and there are also nine air-bags, just in case. No wonder it has a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The ML boasts of one of the most comprehensive standard equipment in the segment and we can’t disagree. Moreover, the cabin is plush, comfortable and a safe place to be in.
Engineering
Tap the Drive Select and you’re in drive mode. Using the latest BlueEFFICIENCY diesel technology, the Stuttgart engineers have done a terrific job of making the new ML extremely quiet.
The ML 350 CDI retains the three-litre, V6 diesel engine, but is now updated to offer better torque output of 620 Nm, which is 110 Nm more that the older version, and the average fuel economy has marginally improved to nine km per litre. Adding to the fuel efficiency is the ECO start/stop function that automatically stops the engine when the SUV comes to a halt.
Power is delivered to all four wheels via a silky 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission that does its duty well by supplying optimum revs at all time. The gearbox is great in city traffic, but feels a little slack on highway compared to other gearboxes. It manages to achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, which is very respectable for a two-tonne SUV.
The power-assisted Direct-Steering reduces the steering effort, making it nice and light and, at the same time, is particularly stable at high speed. There is good feedback, making the drive quite engaging. The chassis and suspension impress with their fine driving dynamics and ride comfort. It employs steel suspension and adaptive damping system, which make the ML an agile and dynamic SUV that offers best in class comfort.
What should be noted is that the lower overall height and longer wheel-base of the ML along with the suspension and rigid chassis give the SUV good road manners and has been successful to control body-roll and pitching considerably.
The ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and 4ETS (Electronic Traction System) work in conjunction with the standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive to offer good traction and stability even on poor roads. If you decide to go for more serious off-road adventure, then there is a dedicated ‘off-road’ button that adjusts the entire electronics to make the vehicle ready for the situation. There is the Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) that makes hill descents more relaxed.
CONCLUSION
The ML is an all-new breed of SUV from the Mercedes-Benz stable and still retains the company’s USP of being a luxurious and exceedingly comfortable vehicle. It does not have the most powerful motor nor the slickest gear-box, but they seem to be tuned more for comfort. It feels hassle-free and excellent to drive on the road, always game for a fair amount of off-road use and is packed until the sun-roof with equipment. It also looks pretty mean with the AMG styling. Currently, the ML is being imported as CBU and features all the bells and whistles as standard. Expect the price to go down a little once CKD assembly begins, but the standard equipment list will also shrink. So if you desire the Tri-Star marque at the edge of your bonnet, then you cannot get a better deal for Rs 89.10 lakh (OTR, Pune).
The AIRMATIC self-levelling suspension keeps the body on a constant level and adjusts to the driving condition. At high speed, the body is automatically lowered to optimise stability
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
