|
Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Mercedes Benz M - Class
|
| MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SHAKES UP SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLE MARKET Segment-Leading Technology, Performance, Versatility and Value - Priced at $33,950 |
|
| Updated |
Jun 3, 2004 17:13:19 |
| Rating |
 206 ( -26 -12.62% ) |
|
|
Description:
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the much-anticipated M-Class All-Activity Vehicle, which has already been acclaimed as a segment leader in technology, performance and versatility. The new Mercedes M-Class establishes new standards for other SUVs to follow by combining the benefits of these vehicles - true off-road capability, rugged design, generous cargo room and towing capacity - with the performance and handling, safety, quality and comfort of a Mercedes-Benz passenger car.
The Mercedes-Benz ML320, which is powered by a new 3.2-liter V6 engine, competes in the heart of the premium SUV segment - along with vehicles such as the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited - and has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $33,950. The M-Class is produced at a new, dedicated factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Consumer research has shown that owners of current, truck-derived sport utility vehicles are pleased with the ruggedness and cargo capacity that their vehicles offer, but they also want a more comfortable ride, better fuel economy, greater passenger safety, better fuel economy and improved reliability. Drawing upon this research as well as decades of expertise in four-wheel-drive technology, Mercedes-Benz designed the M-Class from the ground up, rather than rebadge or redesign an existing car or truck platform.
Mercedes-Benz Safety In An SUV For The First Time
The Mercedes-Benz safety standard was designed into the M-Class from the start. A welded steel box frame and a reinforced steel body cage provide a carefully engineered crumple-zone structure, while maximizing torsional stiffness for a smooth, quiet ride.
Like every 1998 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle, the M-Class features advanced four-channel, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and emergency tensioning retractors (with a belt force limiter for the driver's seat). Dual front airbags and front door-mounted side-impact airbags are standard on all 1998 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, including the M-Class. Unlike most sport utility vehicles, the M-Class frame is also designed so that it will not override a passenger car's body structure in a collision.
A sleek, aerodynamic shape that breaks away from the prevalent boxy design of SUVs helps give the Mercedes-Benz M-Class a quiet ride and contributes to fuel efficiency. The Mercedes ML320 has a coefficient of drag of .39, the best in its class (the Jeep Grand Cherokee, by comparison, has a .45 coefficient of drag).
Versatility For Passengers and Cargo
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class was developed with passenger comfort, cargo room and versatility in mind. Its 111-inch wheelbase is among the longest in its segment - 5.1 inches longer than Jeep Grand Cherokee and 5.7 inches longer than Toyota 4Runner. The M-Class is also 5.2 inches taller than Grand Cherokee, and 1.1 inches wider. The largest side doors among midsize competitors and a low 18-inch step-in height make getting in and out of the Mercedes M-Class much easier than in most SUVs. The rear seat row has ample head, leg and shoulder room for three passengers, thanks in part to a relatively flat floor.
There's plenty of room for hauling "stuff" in the M-Class, too. While the official EPA-rated total cargo capacity of 85.4 cubic feet (seats down) is already better than Ford Explorer (81.6 cu. ft.) and Jeep Grand Cherokee (79.3 cu. ft.), the Mercedes M-Class makes better use of available space, due in large part to a cargo area that is taller and wider. For added versatility, each second-row seat backrest can be folded down separately, and either one-third, or two-thirds or all of the seat cushions can be folded forwards.
All-New V6 Engine
A new-generation 3.2-liter V6 engine powers the Mercedes-Benz ML320 that's part of a new family of three-valve/twin-spark V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz. The ML320 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in nine seconds. Perhaps more important for the SUV driver is the outstanding low-end and mid-range torque from the new V6 engine.
Maximum torque of 233 lbs.-ft. is available from 3,000 rpm-4,600 rpm, which provides confident and safe freeway merging. Just as significant, 85 percent of peak torque is available at just 2,000 rpm, translating into responsive around-town driving.
Sequential fuel injection and electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle control deliver quick response to accelerator pedal, and a balance shaft ensures smooth operation. The advanced three-valve (two intake/one exhaust), twin-sparkplug cylinder head design is key to reducing emissions by up to 40 percent, especially at startup. The Mercedes ML320 is certified as a 50-state Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV), and has best-in-class fuel efficiency, with EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway.
The new Mercedes-Benz V6 was designed with reduced operating costs in mind. Its 12 platinum-tipped sparkplugs (two per cylinder) can last up to 100,000 miles.
A new Flexible Service System (FSS) monitors actual wear on the engine oil to determine optimal service interval. FSS can discern between urban and highway driving, and can account for oil top-ups. With FSS, the minimum service interval is 10,000 miles, and some drivers may be able to go as much as 20,000 miles between oil changes, a boon to owner convenience and the environment. The driver is alerted to the service interval by an instrument panel indicator.
The new Mercedes V6 is teamed to the company's electronic five-speed automatic transmission that adapts to an individual's driving style as well as to changes in road grade (delaying upshifts on ascents for climbing power and downshifting on descents for engine braking). The transmission computer adjusts shifting logic for leisurely driving with smooth upshifts for the best fuel efficiency. A driver who frequently encounters highway merging, on the other hand, will find the transmission holds each gear longer for quick acceleration.
An All-New Approach To Four-Wheel Drive Performance
The full-time four-wheel-drive system used by the Mercedes-Benz M-Class is one of the most innovative, useful and versatile in the SUV market. The system requires no driver intervention. In slippery or off-road conditions, the benefit of the full-time system is obvious. Yet, even on perfectly dry highways, the system makes its presence known by giving the ML320 secure, neutral handling characteristics. Mechanically, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class full-time four-wheel-drive has front, center and rear "open" differentials.
The center differential is located in the transfer case that also provides low range gear reduction for serious off-road travel. Under normal driving and road conditions, the M-Class four-wheel-drive uses a 50/50 front/rear torque distribution.
Where the M-Class really stands apart from other four-wheel-drive SUVs is that it does not lock its axles in an attempt to maintain traction on slippery or loose surfaces. Instead, the M-Class employs a sophisticated four-wheel adaptation of the company's proven electronic traction system (4ETS) to maintain stability and traction under such conditions. The 4ETS system senses wheel slip electronically and brakes the slipping wheels, which delivers the right amount of torque to those tires with the most grip, on virtually any road surface. Unlike conventional four-wheel-drive systems, 4ETS provides mobility even when three wheels lose traction.
Using 4ETS rather than locking differentials aids maneuverability, both on and off-road. In tight steering situations there is no axle "binding," which the driver would experience as sluggish steering response and vibration. Uncompromised ABS operation is also ensured by the 4ETS, since it eliminates the conflict between ABS and manually locking differentials. A two-speed electronically controlled transfer case gives the Mercedes-Benz M-Class true off-road capability.
High range provides a 1:1 gear ratio, while selecting "Low" with a button on the instrument panel engages a 2.64:1 ratio. In first gear, low range, the Mercedes M-Class has one of the lowest "crawl speeds" in its class, giving it the ability to negotiate the most challenging terrain and steep descents. When in low range, the M-Class five-speed electronic automatic transmission uses a special shift program to provide smooth shifting in rugged off-road conditions.
A Chassis Designed Exclusively For A Sport-Utility Vehicle
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class chassis reveals the foundation on which the vehicle's performance, comfort and safety sets new standards in the sport-utility segment. The M-Class is based on a strong separate frame with closed, twist-resistant box-profile sections to provide the strength and ruggedness expected in an SUV. The two longitudinal and three transverse frame crossmembers are welded together for exceptional strength and torsional rigidity. Suspension sub-frames and 10 rubber body mounts provide isolation from road shocks and noise.
Unique in its segment, the M-Class features independent front and rear suspension. Many SUVs have only independent front suspension, while some even use "solid" axles front and rear. Four-wheel independent suspension gives the M-Class class-leading handling, stability and ride comfort, both on and off-road.
Compared to rigid axles, independent suspension reduces unsprung weight by two-thirds, resulting in both better handling and ride quality. The M-Class front suspension features upper and lower control arms in a double-wishbone configuration. Front springing is provided by torsion bars that attach to the middle frame crossmember. The double-wishbone rear suspension is similar to the front, but uses coil spring/shock units with progressive-rate springs. Stabilizer bars and double-tube gas shocks are used in the front and rear. The Mercedes M-Class uses hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion steering. A tight turning circle gives the M-Class exceptional maneuverability on any road. The steering column is adjustable for height.
The Value Story
At $33,950, the Mercedes-Benz ML320 offers the strongest value among its competitors, thanks to its segment-exclusive performance and safety features as well as generous standard equipment, including: air conditioning with dust and pollen filter, power windows with express-down feature in front, 80-Watt high-performance cassette audio system, cruise control, tilt steering column, rear window defroster and wiper, dual heated power side mirrors, alloy wheels, 6-way manual front seats, 4-way head restraints, carpeted floormats, pre-wiring for CD player and phone, and retractable cargo cover and roof rails (see accompanying comprehensive product information for complete list of standard and optional features).
Every 1998 Mercedes-Benz comes with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty, which includes tires, batteries and adjustments for the full coverage period. In addition, the 24-hour Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program covers all Mercedes cars, regardless of model year. This peace of mind can include a free jump start, mounting the spare tire or a few gallons of fuel, even for those driving a decades-old Mercedes. |
| Similar news: | - Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Ballard realign partnership to produce fuel cells - DETROIT (AP) - DaimlerChrysler AG and Ford Motor Co. would provide $58 million to a Canadian partner for further fuel cell development and alter their roles in the alliance as part of a proposed agreement announced Thursday.
- Ford Aims to Reduce Explorer Rollover Risk - Ford Motor Co. will include a rollover stability control system as standard equipment on its most popular sport-utility vehicle, the Explorer, for the 2005 model year. Safety advocates said it was the first time a major US carmaker has ...
- The Poker Player - ON a wall in Brian L. Roberts's office overlooking Philadelphia hangs a picture by Alexander Calder. It shows two poker players sitting at a table, clutching playing cards and swapping chips. Behind them are three stylized cards, including ...
| | Find all news similar on Manufacturer Brochure - 1998 Mercedes Benz M - Class |
|
