Wheels and Suspension. Steering Steering Type. Turning Diameter. Wheels Wheels Type. Aluminum Wheels. Front Wheel Size. Rear Wheel Size.
Suspension Front Suspension. Double Wishbone. Rear Suspension. Tires Front Tire. Rear Tire. Spare Tire. Colors and Materials. Standard Exterior Colors. Optional Exterior Colors. Features and Options. Infotainment HD Radio. Bluetooth Connection. Hard Disk Drive Media Storage. Premium Sound System. Satellite Radio. Auxiliary Audio Input. Entertainment System. MP3 Player.
Interior Trim Bucket Seats. Cloth Seats. Leather Seats. Leather Steering Wheel. Premium Synthetic Seats. Vinyl Seats.
Woodgrain Interior Trim. Comfort Navigation System. Steering Wheel Audio Controls. Power Liftgate. Power Mirror s. Adaptive Cruise Control. Automatic Parking. Climate Control. Cooled Front Seat s. Cruise Control. Heated Front Seat s. Heated Rear Seat s. Heated Steering Wheel. Keyless Entry. Power Driver Seat. Power Passenger Seat. Remote Trunk Release.
Seat Memory. Universal Garage Door Opener. Keyless Start. Safety Features Back-Up Camera. Blind Spot Monitor. Lane Departure Warning. Lane Keeping Assist. Tire Pressure Monitor. Now in its third-generation, it brings the right amenities and abilities demanded of a modern luxury-ute. The list of amenities counted power everything including a panoramic roof, very comfortable heated front buckets and the ability to tailor the driving position to a tee.
Read more: Mercedes-Benz officially announces new naming structure. Beyond that, the tester included a number of packages that brought, among other things, navigation integrated into the convoluted Comand infotainment system, a seven-inch screen sadly not touch-sensitive and a delightful sound system along with some electronic helpers. This list included a park guidance system with front, rear and degree views of the ML to go along with blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems part of the Driving Assistance pack.
I loved the former, but hated the latter because the haptic feedback was annoying — the steering wheel vibrates. The rear riders have little to complain about. The seat accommodates three adults in comfort, and those sitting in the outboard positions are treated to, when ordered, heated pews. Behind that there is plenty of squared-off cargo space. Power the liftgate up and with the seats upright the ML makes light work of litres of cargo. Folding the seats flat bumps the capacity to 2, L.
Yes, access to the latter does require the seat base be lifted before folding the seatback down, but it did serve to bring a completely flat load floor. Recently, a reader took me to task for my love of the modern diesel engine. It was suggested I cast my mind back to the dreadful Oldsmobile diesel to see why they are the work of the devil.
Then the subject of the up-front premium reared its ugly head. My response was simple: Converting a gasoline engine to run on diesel is a recipe for disaster, as GM found out first hand. It produces horsepower and, more importantly, pound-feet of torque at 1, rpm, which gives it the wherewithal to pull the skin off a rice pudding without breaking a sweat.
There are two other key advantages. First, the engine sounded more like a modern direct-injection gas unit than a clattery old diesel. I had the misfortune to live next door to a guy who started his aging Ford F diesel at AM every morning. The noise it produced on start-up shattered the serenity of a waking world. Second is the fuel efficiency it returned. The Bluetec, in conjunction with its seven-speed manumatic complete with paddle shifters, delivered a remarkable average fuel economy of It was fast to react to changing conditions, and it accomplished this regardless of whether it was dealing with a slippery road or a gnarly off-road rumble.
The fact it was seamless in the manner in which it altered the torque distribution underscored its proficiency. A quick off-road jaunt proved the ML works just as well in this environment as it does on the road. Dynamically, the ML has a planted feel. The suspension controls unwanted body motion well without feeling firm when the road deteriorates. The ML Bluetec is a prime example of why I hold the modern diesel engine in such high esteem.
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