New Generation Mercedes
M-Class Hits the Trail
July 11, 2011 - GREENOUGH, MT
The all-new M-Class SUV makes its on-road debut in the
U.S. this week. The 2012 M-Class represents the third
generation of a highly successful Mercedes-Benz sport
utility vehicle that began the industry trend toward
SUVs with a more car-like ride.
While the dramatically styled 2012 M-Class sits about
3/4-inch lower than the previous model, the new SUV is
nearly an inch longer and a half-inch wider. This
eye-catching interpretation of a modern SUV makes a
strong presence that projects trend-setting design and
quality.
Mercedes-Benz begins the 2012 model year with two
M-Class models - the thrifty ML350 BlueTEC diesel now
has considerably more power (240 horsepower, 455 lb.-ft.
of torque), while the popular ML350 4MATIC is equipped
with a brand new direct-injection V6 engine (302 hp, 273
lb.-ft.).
A Bold Face
The nose of the 2012 M-Class is dominated by a bold
front grille that holds the familiar three-pointed star
logo in the center, while a chrome skid plate curves
from the front bumper up toward the grille. Bracketing
the front grille, newly designed headlights are
flush-mounted in the fenders. New LED daytime running
lights are recessed in the front bumper.
Sweeping Side Proportions
Its bold proportions are defined by a relatively long
wheelbase and short overhangs. The lines along the sides
appear stretched, including a high belt line accented
with stainless-steel trim, and its roof line slopes down
toward the rear, emphasizing the sportiness of the new
M-Class. Striking chrome luggage rails run the length of
the roof. Reminiscent of previous M-Class models, an
angled C-pillar distinguishes the SUV from its
competitors.
A Contemporary Cockpit
The dynamic interior design of the new M-Class
underscores the spacious width of its new cabin and
fosters a sense of well-being with elegant high-quality
materials and attention to detail. Interior trim
includes wood and aluminum elements with controls in a
silver shadow finish. Soothing ambient lighting, which
can be switched between 3 different colors, is available
as part of the optional Premium 2 package.
A sporty, four-spoke steering wheel frames a hooded
twin-gauge instrument cluster. The left gauge houses the
analog speedometer and fuel gauge, while a tachometer
and coolant temperature gauge are on the right bridged
by a 4.5-inch screen that can display a wide range of
useful information, including a trip computer and GPS
navigation directions.
The steering wheel holds paddles for shifting the
transmission manually and multifunction buttons for
scrolling through menus on the driver's display. The
buttons can also adjust the audio volume, make and take
phone calls, or activate the voice control system.
Newly-designed stalks on the steering column for turn
signals, highbeams, wipers, cruise control and
transmission mode make the new SUV easier than ever to
drive.
COMAND and Control
Perched at the top center of the dashboard in order to
minimize driver distraction, a seven-inch COMAND display
is bordered by large swiveling air vents. The new head
unit comes with a ten-gigabyte music storage hard drive,
SD card slot, and an MP3 compatible CD /DVD player as
well as a Bluetooth interface for wireless audio
streaming and hands-free phone operation,
HD/AM/weatherband radio, an FM phase-diversity twin
tuner and a USB port hidden in the storage compartment
of the center console.
An optional hard-drive-based GPS navigation system
offers many new features, including a 3D display, a
compass overlay, dynamic route guidance, the ability to
show alternate routes plus the functionality to record
routes while driving. Also optional, a Sirius-XM feature
can provide real-time traffic and weather information on
the navigation map.
New Transmission
The 2012 M-Class line also features a new transmission
with a more advanced torque converter lock-up clutch
that provides even better fuel mileage, more responsive
driving, quieter operation and increased durability. The
new transmission is also designed to work best with a
new type of low-drag ATF fluid, colored blue instead of
the usual red.
302-Horsepower V6 Engine for the ML350 4MATIC
With 302 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, the
3.5-liter V6 engine has 13 percent more power than last
year. Assembled in an entirely new block with 60-degree
cylinder angles, the latest V6 doesn't need a balance
shaft for smooth operation. Like its predecessor, the
new engine has aluminum cylinder heads, pistons and
cylinder block (with cast-in Silitec cylinders), as well
as a crankshaft, connecting roads and valves made of
special forged steel.
Direct Fuel Injection
The new V6 engine makes use of industry-leading
electronics technology first used on Mercedes-Benz
diesels - electronic fuel injectors that spray gasoline
directly into the combustion chambers rather than
indirect port fuel injection most gasoline engines used
in the past. Featuring a piezo-ceramic crystalline
element that changes shape instantly when electrical
current is applied, blazingly fast piezo injectors make
it possible to design very sensitive and precise
injection systems, including the ability to program
several small injections with each piston stroke.
BlueTEC - A Blueprint For The World's Cleanest
Diesels
The ML350 BlueTEC is powered by a purpose-built
3.0-liter V6 diesel, now with 240 horsepower, an
astonishing 455 lb.-ft. of torque and 30 percent better
fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine. Using
several technologies to minimize diesel exhaust
emissions, the ML350 BlueTEC begins with a
four-valve-per-cylinder diesel featuring centrally
located piezo-electric injectors, CDI direct injection,
a variable-nozzle turbocharger and exhaust gas
recirculation.
ATTENTION ASSIST Cautions "Time For A Rest?"
Among the many standard life-saving features on the
M-Class is the innovative ATTENTION ASSIST system that
can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a
factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in
the U.S. A steering sensor is coupled to smart software
that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver
profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between
50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic
steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get
drowsy and triggers an audible warning, and a "Time for
a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon appears in the
instrument cluster.
New iPad® Docking Station
Coinciding with the debut of the new M-Class is the
launch of the all new Mercedes-Benz iPad® Docking
Station. With this new product, customers are able to
utilize their own mobile entertainment. They now have
the capability to watch movies, play music, view
pictures, play games, surf the Internet, all from the
convenience of their own iPad® without having to hold it
in their hands while in transit.
The iPad® Docking Station holds the iPad® in place
behind the headrests of the front seats, allowing rear
occupants to view. For optimum viewing, the iPad®
Docking Station can be rotated up to 90 degrees and be
tilted, while being charged through the vehicle's
electrical system. This product is a perfect fit for the
Mercedes-Benz customer and will be available for most
Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and Sport Utility Vehicles.
This product will be available in September 2011.
2012 ML 350 4Matic
Standard Equipment
Comfort/Convenience
- Power sunroof with express open and close
- Aluminum roof rails*
- Dual-zone automatic climate control with dust
filter
- 8-way power front seats w/door-mounted controls
& driver 4-way lumbar support*
- Heated front seats*
- CD/ DVD / MP3 /AM/ FM/ Weatherband radio
- HD Radio*
- Bluetooth Audio Streaming*
- 8-speaker sound system with auxiliary input, USB
port* and SD card slot
- Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling
- 7" display with central COMAND controller*
- 4-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel
with shift paddles
- 4.5" instrument cluster display*
- Front and rear cupholders
- Rain sensing intermittent wipers
- Integrated garage door opener
- Cruise control
- Power windows with express up and down
- Automatic headlamps with twilight sensor &
locator lighting
- Trip computer
- Privacy glass
- Retractable Luggage Compartment Cover
- Power Lift Gate*
- Eucalyptus Wood Trim*
Performance/Handling
- 302 Horsepower @ 6,500 RPM*
- 273 lb-ft of Torque @ 3,500 – 5,250 RPM*
- 7-Speed automatic transmission*
- AGILITY CONTROL Suspension*
- Front suspension: Independent double wishbone
with stabilizer bar
- Rear suspension: Independent 4-arm multilink
with stabilizer bar
- 1" Twin 5-Spoke Alloy Wheel w/ 255/50 all-season
tires
Safety/Security
- ATTENTION ASSIST*
- ADAPTIVE BRAKE*
- LED Daytime Running Lamps*
- Fiber Optic / LED Tail Lamps*
- Mercedes-Benz mbrace™
- New vehicle 4-year/50,000 mile warranty
- 24 hr. roadside assistance program
- Owner information kit
- Mercedes-Benz maintenance system
- Steel-reinforced cabin with front & rear crumple
zones
- Front & rear outboard seatbelts with
pre-tensioners & force limiters
- Dual two stage front airbags
- Side airbags mounted in front seat backrests
- Head protection curtains
- Driver's side knee airbag*
- Rear side airbags
- 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with Brake Assist System
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
- Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
- Antitheft alarm with engine immobilizer
- SmartKey with panic button
- Advanced tire pressure monitoring system
- Minispare
Optional Packages
Premium 1 Package ($3,600)
- Rearview Camera
- Power folding, auto dimming mirrors
- Driver memory with Power Tilt/Telescoping
Steering Column
- COMAND System w/ hard-drive navigation & SIRIUS
real-time traffic & weather
- iPod / MP3 Media Interface
- SIRIUS Satellite Radio
- 10GB music register
- Enhanced voice control
- Double sun visors
- 115V AC power outlet
Premium 2 Package ($5,450)
Premium 1 package contents plus:
- Heated & cooled cup holders*
- harman/kardon LOGIC7® Surround-Sound System w/
Dolby Digital 5.1
- Rear storage compartment
- KEYLESS-GO
- Multi-color Ambient lighting*
Dynamic Handling Package ($5,150)
- Adaptive Damping System
- ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM*
- AIRMATIC Air Suspension
- 20" Twin 5-spoke Alloy Wheel
Lighting Package ($1,290)
- Headlamp cleaning system
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist*
- Bi-Xenon headlamps with active curve
illumination
- Corner Illuminating lamps
Lane Tracking Package ($850)
- Blind Spot Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist*
Driver Assistance Package ($2,950)
- DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE® Brake*
- Active Blind Spot Assist*
- Active Lane Keeping Assist*
Stand
Alone Options
- Full leather seating ($1,620)
- Burl walnut wood trim (TBD)
- PARKTRONIC w/Active Parking Assist* ($970)
- Wood /Leather multifunction steering wheel
($590)
- Power panorama sunroof* ($1,090)
- Heated steering wheel ($225)
- Trailer hitch ($550)
- Stainless steel running boards w/ rubber studs
($670)
- Rear Seat Entertainment System ($1,970)
- Rear Seat Entertainment System Pre-Wiring ($240)
- Heated rear seats ($620)
- KEYLESS-GO ($650)
Special Order Options
- Sport Interior
- 2nd seat row luggage pass through*
- Heated & Active Ventilated Front Seats
- 3-Zone automatic climate control
- Night View Assist*
- Cargo Management System
- MB-Tex wrapped dashboard
- Black Dinamica/MB Tex
- Auburn Brown/Black Leather*
- Almond Beige/Black Leather
- Grey/Black Leather
- Black Premium Leather
- Anthracite Poplar Wood Trim*
- Brown Satin Ash Wood Trim*
- Aluminum Trim*
- Black headliner
Paint
Black, Obsidian Black, Capri Blue, Arctic White, Steel
Grey, Iridium Silver, Palladium Silver, Pearl Beige*,
Dakota Brown*, Diamond White
Upholstery
Black MB-Tex, Almond Beige MB-Tex, Grey MB-Tex, Black
Leather, Almond Beige Leather, Grey Leather
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