We have seen photos of the 2012 ML-Class before, but we now have some photos with most of the camouflage removed, giving us a clear view of what the new Mercedes-Benz ML will look like.
The wheelbase seems about the same as the current version, but we do know that the car went on a diet. The chassis will be shared with the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2011 Dodge Durango.
The doors have new looks with two bold character lines. We can also see new side mirrors and a large angular grille with chrome bars running horizontal. The headlights appear to be nearly the same as we see on the CL-Class.
Under the hood will be a few motor options. Base models should get a 3.5-liter V6, while a 5.5-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8 will likely be on offer. A 3.0-liter diesel should also be available, as well as a hybrid model.
Expect the new ML-Class to be around $45,000 when it hits the showrooms in 2011.
Mercedes has unveiled today the new ML 63 AMG SUV that features a new exterior design and a powerful V8 engine. The car will go on sale in July at a price of 105,077 euro.
Under the hood there is a 6.3-liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 510 hp at 6800 rpm and a peak torque of 630 NM. It makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 5.0 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. The engine is mated to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.
As for the exterior design, Mercedes opted for a new bonnet with power domes, darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function, darkened tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. There is a chromed front and rear underguard. The look is completed by 5-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels.
On the interior the ML63 AMG gets electrically adjustable AMG sports seats finished in nappa leather upholstery, with Alcantara inserts in the shoulder areas and multicontour function and heating. The look continuesi in the AMG aluminium shift paddles and perforated leather on the specially-shaped grip area.
Mercedes has unveiled the special edition M-Class Grand Edition, a package available for all models in the series with the exception of the ML 63 AMG.
The M-Class Grand Edition is distinguishable by 19-inch light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design, blue-tinted thermal insulation glass all-round, dark-tinted headlamps and LED technology for the daytime driving lights and sporty, darkened tail lights, aluminium roof rails and an extensive chrome package with an AMG radiator grille and underguards at the front and rear round. This special edition comes standard with a metallic paint finish, but on request it can be offered with a paint finish in chromite black or diamond white, and 50.8 cm (20-inch) bicolor light-alloy wheels.
It sucks that this spy video of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class caught the next-generation SUV in all its camouflaged glory – it would have been awesome to catch the tiniest glimpse of the new M-Class - but at this point, we’re just happy that we finally have video evidence of the car as opposed to all the spy photos we’ve seen in the past.
With a platform that is shared with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2012 Dodge Durango, expect the new M-Class to come with something unique to separate itself from its competitors. Reports have surfaced that the Mercedes SUV will come with a revised engine line-up that is expected to come with a few variants, most notably a hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability.
Check out the video to see the new M-Class in the middle of cold, winter testing.
What are the chances to have the next generation ML-Class, a CL-Class AMG test car and a S-Class AMG in the same place at the same time? Barely none. But it seems it happened. While testing the 2012 Mercedes ML-Class the German engineers had to do a task that is usually not found on their daily list: pulling out a CL-Class AMG test car from snow. And with a little help from a S-Class AMG they did it! After some efforts!
