Mercedes-Benz M-CLASS - Manual (Page 5)

ALWAYS AHEAD OF ITS TIME.
NEVER OUT OF ITS ELEMENT.
There was a time when the go- anywhere capability of an SUV really didn’t reach
a lot of places, until the M-Class dared to face the challenge. Like the turbulent
training ground of the wind tunnel. The physics-defying curves of a country road.
The rigors of the crash-test hall. Or the silent scrutiny of the restaurant valet.
By introducing the first 4-wheel independent suspension, side-impact air bags,
certified low emissions, and electronic traction and stability control systems to
SUVs, the M-Class didn’t merely blaze countless new trails — it drew a new map.
For 2013, the original midsize luxury SUV stays ahead of the pack with industry-
exclusive safety systems, advanced ultralow- emission power, and an exquisitely
crafted cabin brimming with user-friendly innovations. More importantly, each of
its elements unite to form an alloy of unique strength: What is quite possibly the
most technologically advanced SUV on the road. Or wherever you might take it.
Passion for the road. With a rigid uni-body, agile
double-wishbone front/multilink rear suspension
and precise electromechanical power steering, an
M-Class delivers the quick reflexes and quiet ride
of a Mercedes - Benz. New, standard COLLISION
PREVENTION ASSIST adds to highway safety with
radar-based driver alerts and braking assistance.
1
Poised for adventure. Few SUVs blend on - road
refinement with ruggedness in the rough like the
M-Class. Engineered as an SUV — not based on
a car — its generous ground clearance and wheel
travel team up with advanced technology that’s
useful anywhere you drive. A new On/Off-Road
Package adds height- adjustable air suspension.
ML 350. A 302-hp gasoline Direct Injection V-6
and paddle-shifted 7- speed automatic can rush to
60 mph as quickly as 7.5 seconds,
2 or return up to
22 highway mpg. 3 Standard 19" alloy wheels team
up with the sporty balance of rear- wheel drive or
the option of surefooted 4
matic ™ all-wheel drive. 4
ML 350 BlueTEC. A highly advanced clean diesel
turbo V-6
5 generates massive thrust — 240 hp and
455 lb-ft of torque — with minimal thirst. It can
sprint to 60 mph as quickly, and nearly as quietly,
as the gasoline ML 350, or cruise more than 600
miles per tankful.
3 Standard 4 matic all-wheel drive
makes the most of its grippy 19" wheels and tires.
ML 550 4 matic . With a mighty 402-hp biturbo
V-8, 7- speed automatic with paddle shifters and
4
matic all-wheel drive, the ML 550 surges to 60
in a sports-carlike 5.3 seconds. 2 Its performance
persona is further revealed by its 19" AMG alloy
wheels and aggressively sculpted lower bodywork.
ML 63 AMG. A handcrafted 518-hp biturbo AMG
V-8 races to 60 mph in a mere 4.7 seconds.
2 Its
ferocious output conspires with the fierce grip of
4
matic all-wheel drive, an AMG-honed AIRMATIC
suspension and a corner-taming ACTIVE CURVE
SYSTEM. Enormous perforated brakes are visible
through standard 20" or optional 21" AMG wheels.