Does Rebadging a Mercedes ML-Class Diesel Really Make It Faster?

What's the difference between the Mercedes ML320 BlueTec and the Mercedes ML350 BlueTec? The oil burners had neither a 3.2 liter engine or a 3.5 liter engine - both have the same V-6! So why did Mercedes change the name and badge? In an in-depth review, the Diesel Driver magazine says it is like this was done to harmonize the diesel with the gasoline ML350 - and they also report that the ML350 actually felt peppier (more "oomph" as it says in the review) than the (same) ML320 they tested two years ago - even with the same engine!
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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/8/2011 4:54:25 PM

-1 Boost

I don't know about making it faster.

I do know the 350 CDI is rated at 265hp and i am pretty sure the 320 CDI of yesteryear was not producing 265hp.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/9/2011 5:35:54 PM

+1 Boost

Correction

The NEW 350 CDI Engine as found in the new CLS is rated 265 hp and 620nm.

I assumed it was the same as the current 350 CDI Engine

My Mistake.

Editor - 3/8/2011 5:23:51 PM

+5 Boost

Specs for the ML320 BlueTec (2009) and ML350 BlueTec (2010) are the same. Same motor, same hp, same torque.

ml_uk - 3/8/2011 5:39:01 PM

+4 Boost

The editor is spot on. Same spec between the 350 and 320. I know this cos I have one. Let's not forget Mercedes has plenty of marketing men and women working for them too. As the W164 model is about to be replaced later on this year/early next year, something has to be added to the car to make it more compelling for this year's new buyers. "Increasing" the size of the badge is one way to keep buyers interested on an existing outgoing model.

Eheath - 3/8/2011 6:12:33 PM

+2 Boost

Ml uk is right about the editor being right. I have several friends with the diesel m class trucks.

Incidentally, I95 is totally wrong about the amt of hp in these cars for that matter.

motor1 - 3/9/2011 3:28:34 AM

0 Boost

MB brought in the 350 tag to replace the 320 many years ago, I believe so on the S, where the 3.2L 320 was replaced by a 3.7L 350. For some reason or other they held the 320 CDI as 320, probably because the engine wasn't changed, but now I think MB is gradually replacing the badging by going up in 50s, hence the C250 (instead of C240/C230), C300 (instead of C280) and so on.

motor1 - 3/10/2011 7:51:45 PM

0 Boost

yes, de-boost my post because I restated facts previous made by MB. You probably cannot fathom operating a motor vehicle, let alone controlling a computer.