MB ML350 officially launches

Agent001 submitted on 2/10/2003 Auto Spies Photos Timestamp: 7:37:37 PM

Views : 1,215 | Category: Misc News | Source: www.autospies.com

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

MB ML350 officially launches

Inspiration edition highlights launch

MBUSA Launches New ML350 Model

2003 M-Class Also Features “Inspiration Edition”

MONTVALE, NJ – Mercedes-Benz upgrades the popular ML320 sport utility vehicle by replacing it with an ML350, offering more power for little extra cost. The primary difference between the two models is a new 232-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine (replacing the 215-hp 3.2-liter V6), adding 16 additional horses and 21 lb-ft of torque. The new ML350 has a suggested price of $37,670 – only $350 more than the outgoing ML320.

The award-winning Mercedes-Benz M-Class continues to offer customers three distinct choices in a luxury sport-utility vehicle (SUV). The M-Class model range, which had received freshened exterior styling and interior enhancements for 2002, is available as the newly introduced V6 ML350, the 288-horsepower V8 ML500 and the unique high-performance ML55 AMG powered by a hand-built 342-horsepower V8.

For 2003, the M-Class offers a new DVD-based navigation system that is standard on the ML 500 and ML55 AMG and optional on the ML350. The new DVD system is integrated into the Modular Control System that includes a 5-inch TFT display screen and the ability to play cassette tapes and audio CDs and DVDs. Now, the mapping for the contiguous United States fits on one DVD compared to nine CDs needed previously. Owners of older M-Class models equipped with the MCS can upgrade to the DVD system – an industry first - and it’s simply a matter of an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership switching the new drive for the old one.

M-Class “Inspiration Edition” Enhances 2003 Line-up

For model year 2003, Mercedes-Benz is also producing an “Inspiration Edition” M-Class. Striking visual enhancements inside and out exclusive to the Inspiration Edition are incorporated at a spectacular value – just $2,540 for the ML350. In addition to sport seats and designo dark poplar wood trim, the interior will be appointed with silver cross-stitched Anthracite leather and unique floormats. For exterior individuality, these models will receive six-spoke 17” wheels and a silver-painted chrome grille.

Part Luxury Car, Part Mountain Goat

The M-Class exhibits exemplary off-road capabilities with an added bonus: downhill traction control and a crawling mode for very slow and steep off-roading. On-road comfort is assured with all-season tires, a stiff chassis and independent front and rear suspensions -- a luxury “must” still not found on all luxury SUVs. Fully independent suspension helps give the M-Class sedan-like handling, stability and ride comfort.

The M-Class harnesses its power and torque through a unique full-time four-wheel-drive system, which provides 48 percent front / 52 percent rear torque distribution. One of the most innovative and versatile systems in the SUV market, the M-Class driveline utilizes front, center and rear “open” differentials, which require no driver intervention and can propel the vehicle even if three wheels have lost traction.

The M-Class also employs electronic four-wheel traction control. This system can sense wheel slip and apply the brake to the slipping wheel(s), automatically transferring the right amount of torque to those wheels with the highest grip, on virtually any road surface.

For serious off-roaders, downhill traction control (operating only when low range is selected) helps maintain grip during steep downhill off-road driving where surfaces are uneven, loose, rutted and slick. Extra braking power is applied to the respective wheels to prevent loss of engine braking torque, maintaining slow speeds anticipated by experienced drivers. Hill descent is therefore easier to control and more constant. Several conditions must be present for this downhill mode to engage: Vehicle speed must be below 12 mph, the driver must be applying a light throttle, the vehicle must be accelerating downhill, and at least one wheel must have lost traction.

A “two-foot” crawling mode enables drivers to start going up steep inclines and climb over obstacles even while the brake pedal is depressed. Avid off-roaders often feather the brake with their left foot while remaining on the throttle with their right foot for greater precision in crawling maneuvers. Traction control and ABS both function at these slow speeds. For this “two-foot” crawling mode, low range must be selected, the brakes must be applied, the throttle must be depressed more than 10-percent and vehicle speed must remain under 3 mph. To contribute to these off-road maneuverability improvements, an active brake booster builds pressure assistance more quickly, allowing spinning wheels to be slowed with quicker response.

Safety

Mercedes-Benz pioneered such features as the safety cell body structure, anti-lock brakes (ABS), supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbags, ESP stability control and traction control. All 2003 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles feature these innovations.

The M-Class is equipped with eight airbags: dual front airbags, front and rear door-mounted side airbags as well as curtain side airbags. The latter work in conjunction with the door-mounted side airbags to help prevent both front and rear passengers from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. These air-filled cushions can also block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact or rollover.

Each curtain is over six feet long, 14 inches tall and about two inches thick. They deploy from the headliner in about 25 milliseconds, directly above the side windows, and extend across the front and rear windows. Tests by Mercedes-Benz with the curtain side airbags indicate about a 90 percent reduction in the forces likely to cause head injuries. The two-stage front airbags for driver and passenger deploy in two levels, depending on the severity of impact. If sensors detect a minor front-end impact, only one chamber of the generator is deployed, so the bag is not filled as fully or as quickly as it is in a severe front impact. In a more severe collision, the second chamber is deployed 5 to 15 milliseconds later.

The body-on-frame design features a torsionally rigid chassis and a body with an extra crumple zone built into the nose of the vehicle and around the windshield pillars. This extra crumple zone can actually help dissipate crash energy around the sides of the vehicle, providing even more protection for the occupants of both the M-Class and a colliding vehicle.
A sensor mat in the front passenger seat (featured in all Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles) determines if someone is sitting in the seat. If the seat is not occupied, the sensor will deactivate the front passenger airbag and the seatbelt pretensioner -- a measure designed to reduce accident repair costs. The M-Class provides 3-point seat belts in each seating position.

The BabySmart automatic child seat recognition system, standard on every 2003 Mercedes-Benz model, deactivates the passenger-side front airbag in the presence of a BabySmart-compatible infant, toddler or child booster seat (available from Mercedes-Benz dealers). The Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH) universal child seat mounting system secures a child seat to the car seat.

Auto Spies perspective: This baby is getting a little long in the tooth and customers are anxiously awaiting the next generation vehicle (see photos in this issue). Hopefully, the next generation will be more reliable and finished much nicer than this one. The ML is DEFINITELY, not the "Mercedes-Benz" of SUV's anymore.