 The M-class was one of the first Mercedes cars to be made in the United States. The sub standard quality particularly of the interiors drew lot of flak. However things took a turn for the better with the second generation M-Class. Now the new generation M-Class has taken the quality aspect to a whole new level. OverDrive (April ’09) takes a quick peek…
The biggest change is the upholstery colour. The gloomy black leather interiors have made way for airy beige. The faux leather emanates a quality look and feel. The seat design is the same but the stitch pattern is different. Both seats get four-way electrically adjustable lumbar support. A leather wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with alloy effect bottom spokes has replaced the wood finished one of its predecessor. It houses the stereo and trip computer controls that are better finished and easier to use. A big change is that the gear shift paddles are behind the steering wheel, replacing the tiresome toggle switches on both petrol and diesel engined M-Class versions. The paddles attached to the steering column are handy when one wants manual over-ride on the 7-speed automatic box.
 The multimedia interface now features a larger 5-inch full colour TFT screen. It also interfaces with mobile phone Bluetooth connection. A DVD player is optional with screens integrated into the back of the headrests. Also the surround sound system with 12 speakers has an output of 610 watts!
On the safety front, Mercedes has made Pre-safe and Neck-Pro head restraints standard on all models apart from eight airbags, ABS and ESP.
Changes on the outside are subtle. The new bumper features sharper, more aggressive lines. The grille openings are wider and deeper with the three-pointed star set in the centre. The lower air dam is bigger and improves airflow to the engine. Rectangular fog lamps have made way for circular ones placed at the very edges of the bumper, endowing the car with a wider and more striking presence. While the bonnet remains the same, large rear-view mirrors with integrated turn indicators echo the C-Class ones. The alloy rims are  new and have grown to 19 inches from 17, also the revamped tail lamps are set neatly amid aerodynamic contours similar to the C-Class.
Mechanically things remain unchanged which is no bad thing considering the M-Class is almost car-like in its on-road dynamics while retaining serious off-roading ability. Engine options are also the same, an all-aluminum 3498cc V6 engine producing 272PS of power in the ML350 CDI. Both engines give the M-class a sub 10-second 0-100kmph capability which is mighty impressive for a two-tonner.
AirMatic air suspension is standard on the M-Class with adaptive damping system. This system lowers the ground clearance by 15mm at high speeds and raises it by 80mm for off-road conditions. All this is done at the touch of a button and there’s also hill descent control which makes it safer down steep declines. The suspension also features a leveling system which maintains equilibrium even when the vehicle is heavily laden.
As OverDrive (April ’09) sums it up, quality and class will always tell…as the M-Class does.
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