Road TestCar reviews - Mercedes-Benz - M-class - ML320 CDI 5-dr wagonMercedes-Benz modelsOverviewTrick new turbo-diesel M-class is just the ticket for rough stuff and fuel economy25 Jan 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ has arrested the credibility slide that saw its initially popular M-class SUV slipping out of contention in the Australian prestige market. And how. The new M-class storms into Australia with more of everything, immediately slotting into place as a topline alternative in an increasingly crowded category. The ML320 CDI version adds to the new vehicle’s extra space, greatly improved dynamics and sheer on-road presence with what could be the best diesel-fired powerplant available. We’ve said it before, but turbo-diesel engines are getting so good these days that the line separating them from petrol engines is finer than ever. And no more so than in this new, all-alloy Benz V6, which really does make you wonder why you’d bother with a petrol-powered M-class. Model release date: 1 November 2005 to 1 September 2008 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelThe original M-class arrived in Australia in September 1998 with a single 160kW/310Nm 3.2-litre V6-powered ML320 variant. At that stage there was a lot to like about the newcomer but its truck-like chassis and indifferent handling took the shine off an otherwise good vehicle. By March 1999 the 200kW/390Nm 4.3-litre V8 ML430 arrived while the 120kW/370Nm 2.7-litre turbo-diesel ML270 CDI went on sale in February 2000. Not surprisingly there was a flagship ML55 AMG (complete with 255kW/510Nm 5.4-litre V8) too, which arrived in January 2001. In November 2001 – model year 2002 – the M-class received a modest facelift that addressed quality issues and improved the cabin. The range continued on with the ML320, ML270 and ML55 variants, while the 215kW/440Nm 5.0-litre V8 ML500 replaced the ML430. The 175kW/346Nm 3.7-litre V6-powered ML350 replaced the ML320 in May 2003. |
Road TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram