Mercedes-Benz Press Release:
More power, lower fuel consumption: new V8-engine for the M-Class
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class has entered the new model year with a new engine. The 285 kW/388 hp model ML 500 4MATIC is now equipped with the 5.5-litre V8 petrol unit, which increases the output by 82 hp compared to the preceding model and boosts the maximum torque from 460 to 530 newton metres. This power increase has a considerable effect on performance: the ML 500 4MATIC now accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, and has a maximum speed of 250 km/h. This increase in power and performance is not matched by a higher fuel consumption, however, as the NEDC combined
consumption has been reduced by 0.6 litres to 12,8 litres per 100 kilometres. The range of petrol models is complemented by the 200 kW/272 hp model ML 350 with a V6-engine, as well as the high-performance ML 63 AMG with 375 kW/510 hp.
The top model in the diesel range is the ML 420 CDI 4MATIC, which develops an output of 225 kW/306 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm, and therefore has the highest torque of any model in the entire M-Class series. In addition to the V8 diesel there is a choice of two other diesel units, both of
them offering excellent performance with an even lower fuel consumption. The basic V6-engine in the ML 280 CDI has an output of 140 kW / 190 hp, while the ML 320 CDI with the same displacement generates 165 kW/224 hp. Both versions consume just 9.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.
The first generation of the M-Class (W 163) was launched in 1997 and is acknowledged as the precursor to all modern premium SUVs, with worldwide sales of around 600,000 units before its replacement in 2005. The present W 164-series M-Class is set to continue this success story,
and 250,000 Mercedes-Benz customers have already purchased current model.
