Facelift for MB's M-Class
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded its American-built luxury SUV for 2008The Mercedes-Benz M-Class has been refreshed inside and out for its retail launch around the middle of this month.
New bumpers, restyled headlights, a larger radiator and high-contrast tail lights are the principal visual cues for the revised model. The high-performance ML 63 AMG features new front and rear aprons and a chromed sumpguard in addition.
Inside, the M-Class is trimmed in two-tone leather (a choice of black/cashmere beige or black/alpaca grey) and gains a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel of a new design. The Telematics system has been upgraded and now employs the UCI system (Universal Communication Interface), developed by Mercedes-Benz.
An externally mounted spare is available in the upgraded range as an option, allowing owners to run a full-size spare wheel for offroad purposes.
Locally, Mercedes-Benz is sticking with the same model range structure, but enhanced with added equipment. The base model ML 280 CDI increases by $615 to $81,000, with the compensation being the three options now fitted as standard. These are the five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, the NTG 2.5 MP3-compatible six-disc audio system with five-inch monitor and Bluetooth connectivity, plus the third former option, the UCI media connection for iPod integration.
Moving up to the ML 350, buyers will now pay $94,000, an increase of $3022. Priced immediately above that is the ML 320 CDI, now $97,000 -- up $2844. Both variants are similarly upgraded with former options now fitted as standard. These include a new five-spoke design of 19-inch alloy wheel, an electrically-adjustable front passenger seat with memory function, the NTG 2.5 audio system (as described above, but with Comand APS, DVD navigation, SD card slot, four-gig hard disk drive, 6.5-inch colour monitor, 'Convenience Telephone' operation and Linguatronic voice activation), UCI iPod integration, reversing camera and upper dashboard trimmed in Artico synthetic leather.
The V8-engined ML 500 is now priced at $127,500, $126 more than last year's model. New features include: a new five-spoke design of 20-inch alloy wheel, wood/leather combination steering wheel, Artico trim for upper dash, glass/electric sunroof with tilt/slide function, NTG 2.5 Comand APS entertainment/information system as described for the ML 350/320 CDI and UCI iPod integration.
Topping the range, the ML 63 AMG has moved up $255 to $167,500. A new five-spoke design of 20-inch alloy wheel is supplied by AMG and other added features include the NTG 2.5 Comand APS system, UCI iPod integration, Nappa leather trim for the upper dash and a digital/analogue TV tuner.
To comment on this article click here
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
