Mercedes-Benz M-Class and GL-Class SUVs Awarded
15 April 2008 · posted by Staff
Stuttgart – The new-generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class has come first in one of the most prestigious readers’ votes in the off-road and SUV world. Readers of the motoring magazine “AUTO BILD Allrad” have given this successful trendsetter among today’s SUVs the accolade of “Car of the Year 2008” in the category covering off-roaders and SUVs costing between €40,000 and €60,000. The same honour was accorded the Mercedes-Benz GL, which continues to occupy the peak position in the market segment for luxurious Sports Utility Vehicles. This model emerged the winner in the category above €60,000. The awards will be presented at the “Auto Mobil International 2008” motor show in Leipzig.
The dynamic and elegant M-Class SUV now has more striking character features, and makes an even more powerful sports-oriented impression. The front end of this off roader is defined by a redesigned bumper, headlamps with modified contours and a larger, more dominant radiator.
The rear end appears more muscular thanks to a redesigned bumper with a reflector-strip insert and tail lights in a smoked-glass look. Stylistic fine-tuning has also upgraded the interior: new, high grade materials and a new, two-tone colour scheme provide fresh highlights here too.
The standard appointments of the M-Class have also been considerably extended, and now include the unique anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® and NECK-PRO active head restraints (already standard fitment in Australia), as well as a newly-developed telematics system by Mercedes-Benz.
The output range of the ML-Class extends from the 140 kW turbo-diesel ML 280 CDI, which offers an NEDC diesel fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, up to the top-of-the-line ML 63 AMG. This top-class athlete has an output of 375 kW, and is one of the world’s most powerful off-roaders.
Since the second-generation M-Class appeared in April 2005, no less than around 300,000 units have been delivered to customers around the world. This state-of-the-art off-roader therefore continues to be one of the most successful vehicles in this high-growth market segment.
