Friday, July 20, 2012

Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueEFFICIENCY 4MATIC


The 3rd generation ML.
·             Design & Engineering:
An imposing vehicle. No doubt about that. When I was in the car park a few days ago, my car was wedged in between the first and latest generation ML series vehicles. As I looked from left to right, I noticed that with time, the new ML was sharper, bolder, and undoubtedly bigger as well! From the front, the new ML bears the Mercedes-Benz crest upon a wide chrome front grill. Directly below, follows LED daytime running lights and a chrome underbody ‘battering ram’. ML diehards will say that the SUV looks rather similar to the new E-Class, failing to give it a ‘beefy appearance’. I beg to differ, for on a personal basis, the new ML imposes and dominates the roads making it rather ‘beefy’ enough for me. From the side, the SUV has a rather aerodynamic body, and is very avantgarde, with the use of sports rims, a nicely drawn curve on its side as well as the shiny roof racks and side stepping sills. At 4804mm in length, the ML definitely looks its size and manages to look like a GL from afar. From the rear, things get even sharper, with angular sides, hidden exhausts and beautifully crafted LED tail lamps. Overall, the new ML has a snobby feel about it, and redefines how a luxury SUV should look like from the outside, despite sharing a similar platform with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
·            Interior
From a driver’s perspective, the vehicle’s high stance and large, multifunction steering wheel inspires confidence and accuracy in maneuvering the well-proportioned SUV. Turning away from the steering, the START/STOP button, telephony system, cruise control, PARKTRONIC and all the extra goodies, one realizes that everything—from the dashboard to the foothold areas all in contrasting colour stitch makes for a plush, comfortable and tasteful interior. Adopting Mercedes’ new tradition, a signal-like gear shifter is featured, though in a much simpler form. Flanking the top of the center console is the classic INFOTAINMENT system, plucked and revised from the E-Class. Unlike the E-Class though, the ML’s INFOTAINMENT system can feature a futuristic and clean-cut analogue clock when in idle mode. At the back, space is more than ample for 3 adults, with occupants guaranteed to ride in sheer comfort, due to the (optional) rear climate control adjustment, clear sound system and quiet ride. At the back, space is exceptional as well, due to the absence of third-row seating. Swathed in suede like material, simply sitting in the boot seems to be rather comfortable already. Of course, for the price you pay for the ML, an electronic boot comes as standard, making life much cleaner after an off road experience. In short, great, if not a superb interior surpassing that of a BMW X5, Lexus RX, etc.
·            Ride & Handlings
With a 3.5-liter V6 under the hood, the 306BHP powerplant does an effortless job in pulling the German built SUV forward. More relevantly, the 4MATIC 4-wheel drive system does a properly grippy job when shucked into wet corners on say, the coasts of Bristol. To be fair, the ML does shows signs of body roll—keep in mind the sheer size and dimensions of the SUV though. When talking about speed, the ML achieves 0-100km/h in a respectable 7.6 seconds, making cruising up to 3 digit speeds an ease. Mated to Mercedes’ renowned 7G-TRONIC gearbox, shifting gears is a seamless experience, be it through the automatic shifting or via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. In addition, driver assistance systems such as BRAKE ASSIST, ATTENTION ASSIST PLUS, PARKTRONIC, and DISTRONIC PLUS, help to make driving the ML a rather easy thing to do.

·            Verdict
An improved model from the 2nd generation ML = better fuel economy, better drivability, fresher looks and a tastefully done up interior. Refined and comfortable, this is definitely the SUV to go for.

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