Similar in class are the following vehicles from other automakers − Audi Q7, BMW X5, Chevrolet Tahoe, Infiniti FX, Lexus RX, Land Rover Freelander, Honda Pilot, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Nissan Pathfinder, Volkswagen Touareg, Toyota Highlander, Volvo XC90 and Porsche Cayenne.
First generation (W163, 1997−2005)
In 1990, the company's management had an idea to replace G-class and in early 1991, an agreement was made with the Japanese company Mitsubishi to develop a car. The Montero/Pajero platform was taken as a basis. The following year, these plans were canceled, and Mercedes-Benz continued to develop the car on its own from 1993. The project of the car was chosen by the design studio Mercedes Sindelfingen. In 1994, construction began on a plant in Alabama (USA). In Germany at that time a prototype was built and tested in crash tests. Sea trials of vehicles were carried out from March 1995 to December 1996 in various climatic conditions. Trial production began in May 1996, and the first vehicle rolled off the production line in the US on February 9, 1997. Body length was 4587 mm, width 1834 mm, height 1775 mm. The curb weight was 2093 kg. Drag coefficient Cx = 0.4.
Cars were equipped with engines of the following characteristics - 2.3 liters «ML 230» (2295 cm3, M111, I4, 150 hp), 3.2 liters «ML 320» (3199 cm3, M112 E32, V6, 218 hp), 3.7 liters «ML 350» (3724 cm3, M112 E37, V6, 235 and 245 hp), 4.3 liters «ML 430» (4266 cm3, M113 E43, V8, 272 hp) and 5.0 liters «ML 500» (4966 cm3, M113 E50, V8, 292 hp) and 5.4 liters «ML 55 AMG» (5439 cm3, M113 E55, V8, 347 hp). Diesel engines were as follows - 2.7 liters «ML 270 CDI» (2685 cm3, OM612, I5, turbo, 163 hp) and 4.0 liters «ML 400 CDI» (3996 cm3, OM628, V8, turbo, 250 hp with.). Transmission was 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic «5G-Tronic».
The car was equipped as standard with electronic stability control, front and side airbags. Drive permanent full «4Matic». The differential lock was carried out by braking one or more wheels. The trim levels of the car and trim were three options - Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.
In 1998, the car received an award «SUV of the Year», which was established by the American magazine «Motor Trend», and in the same year the award «North American Truck of the Year» at the Detroit International Auto Show. In 1999, the car was awarded an international award in the field of automotive industry «World Car of the Year».
In 2001, the model was restyled. More than $600 million was spent to modernize the plant in the USA. Improved the quality of the car, as well as the appearance (new headlights, taillights, bumpers, exterior mirrors and rims) and minor changes to the interior. The dimensions of the body have increased, now it has become 4638 mm long, 1839 mm wide and 1821 mm high. In the cabin after restyling, the system is responsible for the climate «Thermatik». In total, about 1100 elements and nodes were affected. Over the nine-year history of the first generation, about 500 thousand cars were produced at a plant in the USA and more than 70 thousand at a plant in Austria.
Second generation (W164, 2006−2011)
Back in 1999, they began to think about the further development of the SUV. In late 2001, a project by British automotive designer Steve Mattin was selected. Prototypes were tested in 2003-2004. In January 2005, the car was shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Body contours have become more sporty, drag coefficient (C x) decreased to 0.34. The dimensions of the car have become much larger. The length was 4788 mm, width 1910 mm, height 1815 mm. The durability and quality of the bodywork has increased significantly due to full galvanization and corrosion protection. The car uses the same platform as the new GL-Class, i.e. now a load-bearing body instead of a load-bearing frame, as in «W163».
The range of gasoline engines consists of the following modifications - 3.5 liters «ML 350» (3498 cm3, V6, 272 hp), 3.5 liters «ML 450 HYBRID» (3498 cm3, V6, 279+61 hp), 5.0 liters «ML 500» (4966 cm3, V8, 306 hp), 5.5 liters «ML 500» (5461 cm3, V8, 388 hp) and 6.2 liters «ML 63 AMG» (6208 cm3, V8, 510 hp). Diesel engines were presented in volumes of 3.0 liters «ML 280 CDI» (2987 cm3, V6, 190 hp), 3.0 liters «ML 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY» (2987 cm3, V6, 204 hp), 3.0 liters «ML 320 CDI» (2987 cm3, V6, 224 hp), 3.0 liters «ML 350 CDI» (2987 cm3, V6, 224 and 231 hp), 3.0 liters «ML 320 BlueTEC» (2987 cm3, V6, 211 hp), 4.0 liters «ML 420 CDI» / «ML 450 CDI» (3996 cm3, V8, 306 hp). All diesels have a power system «Common Rail». The manual transmission was abolished, only a 7-speed automatic was used «7G-Tronic».
In March 2008, they presented a restyling of this generation at the New York International Auto Show. Sales began in the autumn of the same year. Appearance found new bumpers, grille, headlights and taillights. Inside, a multifunctional steering wheel was installed, the PreSafe security system was included in the basic package, and the seats were equipped with NeckPro head restraints. The range of engines has also been updated. On April 8, 2009, a hybrid car appeared «ML 450 Hybrid». It is equipped with a conventional gasoline engine and two electric ones built into the gearbox. A hybrid car consumes on average only 7.7 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
The car could be ordered with packages «Sport», «Off-Road Pro» And «AMG». Plastic bag «Sport» has improved aerodynamics and lighter weight. Plastic bag «Off-Road Pro» makes the car more passable off-road by locking the rear differential, demultiplier, engine protection, manual transmission control and adjustable ground clearance using air suspension. Plastic bag «AMG» offered for extra money to level up «show off». Significantly changes the appearance of the car and interior trim.
The third-generation M-Class is equipped with the most advanced automotive technology of its time. Standard vehicle electrical equipment includes power windows, immobilizer, central locking, CD player, two-stage airbags, curtain airbags on the side windows, an on-board computer, electrically adjustable seats, seat occupancy sensors, a rain sensor, heated mirrors and many other options. Driving assistance systems include ABS (anti-lock brakes), ESP (stability control), SBS (electro-hydraulic brakes), cruise control with speed control. Optional climate control «THERMATIC», parking sensors, multimedia system «COMAND APS», additional interior lighting and others.
The safety of passengers in the car is provided by two-stage airbags, side airbags, window blinds, seat belt pretensioners, NeckPro active head restraints and PreSafe proactive driver and passenger protection system. Driver assistance systems are described above. In 2008, the European committee EuroNCAP conducted a crash test of a car with a diesel engine «320 CDI», see the results in the table.
American agency «National Highway Traffic Safety Administration» (NHTSA) tested a 2005 M-Class car and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars in all crash tests. American non-profit organization «Insurance Institute for Highway Safety» assigned to the car with the code «W164» rank «The safest car».
Third generation (W166, 2011-present)
The development of the third generation began in 2006 and lasted 5 years. The car was introduced in June 2011, production began in July of that year as a 2012 model. External design «W166» has very similar features to E-class fourth generation (W212). The body of the car has become a little larger. The length was 4803 mm, width 1926, height 1796 mm. The body of the hybrid model is slightly shorter (4780 mm) and wider (1980 mm). The space for rear passengers has increased, and the rear seats have become adjustable. Engineers have achieved 25% fuel savings compared to the previous generation.
Ruler gasoline engines and car model names until 2015 represents the following characteristics - 3.5 liters «ML 300 4MATIC» (3498 cm3, M276 DE 35 red., V6, 252 hp), 3.5 liters «ML 350 4MATIC» (3498 cm3, M276 DE 35, V6, 306 hp), 3.0 liters «ML 400 4MATIC» (2996 cm3, M276 DE 30 AL, V6, 333 hp), 4.7 liters «ML 500 4MATIC» (4663 cm3, M278 DE 46 AL red., V8, 408 hp) and 5.5 liters «ML 63 AMG» (5461 cm3, M157 DE 55 AL, V8, 525 hp).
Ruler diesel motors and car model names until 2015 represents the following characteristics - 2.2 liters «ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC» (2143 cm3, OM651 DE 22 LA, I4, 204 hp) and 3.0 liters «ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC» (2987 cm3, OM642 LS DE 30 LA, V6, 258 hp) All diesels are equipped with a direct injection system «Common Rail».
Petrol engines and car model names after 2015 had the following names - 3.0 liters «GLE 400 4MATIC» / «GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC» (2996 cm3, M276 DE 30 AL, V6, 333/367 hp), 4.7 liters «GLE 500 4MATIC» (4663 cm3, M278 DE 46 AL red., V8, 435 hp), 3.0 liters «GLE 500 e» (2996 cm3, M276 DE 30 AL, V8, hybrid, 333+116 hp) and 5.5 liters «GLE 63 AMG» (5461 cm3, M157 DE 55 AL, V8, 557 and 585 hp).
Diesel engines and car model names after 2015 had the following names - 2.2 liters «GLE 250 d» / «GLE 250 d 4MATIC» (2143 cm3, OM651 DE 22 LA, I4, 204 hp) and 3.0 liters «GLE 350 d 4MATIC» (2987 cm3, OM642 LS DE 30 LA, V6, 258 hp). All diesels have direct injection «Common Rail».
Gearboxes were 7-speed automatic «7G-Tronic Plus» or 9 speed automatic «9G-Tronic».
In 2015, they carried out a deep restyling of the model and replaced the name with GLE class. Outwardly, the grille, headlights, taillights and front bumper have changed. Inside, the center console has been slightly modified. The engine range has been updated. Savings were improved and fuel consumption was reduced by another 17%.
The package can be installed on the car «Sport», which includes the installation of sports seats with lateral support, a sports steering wheel and pedals. Plastic bag «Designo» includes special leather upholstery for seats and interior elements, as well as other decorative elements. Plastic bag «AMG Sport» makes the appearance of the car stylish and dynamic. Plastic bag «On & Off Road» gives the car improved off-road capability with a transfer case «Magna Powertrain» with downshift and locking center differential.
modern car «GLE class» has many of the world's passive and active safety systems. Passengers are protected by up to 9 airbags with adjustable power, knee, side airbags and air curtains on the windows are also installed. All seat belts are three-point. In the event of a rear impact, special head restraints protect the neck from injury. The body in the cabin area is very durable, in the hood and trunk, special deformation zones quench the impact energy.
A variety of driver assistance systems also reduce the risk of a collision. Such systems are Brake Assist, traction control, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability control, driver fatigue recognition, PreSafe collision avoidance system. An active hood reduces the severity of injury to a pedestrian. Also available on request are Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Autonomous Cruise Control, Intelligent Braking System, Rear View Camera and Parking Assistant.
The 2011 car was subjected to a safety test by the European committee EuroNCAP. See the table for the results. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, USA) also tested the car and it scored a maximum of 5 stars out of 5 in all tests except the roof rollover test. Only 4 out of 5 stars in this test. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS, USA) I also did some testing and the results are as follows:
- Frontal crash test - Good
- Frontal Partial Overlap Crash Test - Good
- Side kick - good
- Roof Strength Rating - Good