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When Mercedes models used to have generation cycles of 10 years (and more), interim updates were mostly under the skin. You could hardly tell that a model had been updated but the Germans would say that there were 'hundreds of changes under the metal’. But times have changed and the market is more competitive so manufacturers have to 'shout louder’ when their models are updated and they have to make the changes more obvious.This would seem to be the case with the new 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 which was introduced to the Malaysian media today. 20 years ago, an interim update would have been hard to tell from the one that was in the showrooms the year before. But then again, the M-Class was not around 20 years ago and arrived on the scene only in 1998, one of the new generation of luxury SUVs which the Lexus RX350 had inspired. The new M-Class will be obvious at a glance with its new front end having a redesigned bumper with a more distinctive underbody protection plate, bi-xenon headlamps with new shapes and a larger, even more dominant radiator grille. Where the previous M-Class had a narrow slit on the bumper below the radiator grille, on the 2009 model, this has been enlarged and the opening covered with a mesh for a functional look. The rear view also sports a new-look bumper with integrated reflector strips, emphasising the vehicle's width, as well as tail light clusters with a smoked-glass look (customers can also have the option of LED tail lights with clear-glass look).  | 2009 model with the new front end and the 2008 model (right) | |
The profile, however, remains the same with its sleek style that is a contrast to the more rugged looking first generation. The roof now has black-finished rails (standard fixture) while the flares above the wheel wells are more prominent. The door mirrors have also been redesigned to offer a larger viewing area.
Under the bonnet, there is a choice of various petrol and diesel engines and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is importing only the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, as before. Other powerplants are also available on special order but in as far as diesels are concerned, availability will have to wait till the quality of diesel fuel in Malaysia is upgraded. The latest Mercedes diesel engines, being of advanced designs, require better fuel than what is at the Malaysian pumps today and MBM does not want its customers to be inconvenienced by problems so it won’t offer the diesel variants for now. The 3.5-litre engine is a familiar unit and produces 200 kW/272 bhp at 6000 rpm with a maximum 350 Nm of torque available between 2400 and 5000 rpm. For those who want the ultimate M-Class, there is also the ML63 AMG which, with its 6208 cc V8 that develops 510 bhp/630 Nm is still the most powerful SUV on the market. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is said to be 5.0 seconds, and the top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited).  | 4MATIC all-wheel drive system has locking differentials in the centre and at the rear axle | |
As before, it is mated to the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission and power goes to all four wheels via the 4MATIC system. The 4MATIC is an all-wheel drive system which constantly varies torque distribution between front and rear wheels so stability is optimised. The system has locking differentials in the centre and at the rear axle so it would take a really difficult situation to stop the ML350 from moving ahead. Locking differentials provide specific delivery of torque to the wheels so that even with three wheels spinning in mud, the one wheel that can get grip can still get maximum torque to use and move the vehicle forward.
It’s a fact that many of today’s SUV owners don’t drive much off-road and most in fact confine their driving to the 'urban jungle’ (which can have some pretty nasty surfaces too these days). The number of serious off-roaders probably becomes even smaller further upmarket (would you want to drive your M-Class into a muddy rubber estate and have plants brushing against the paintwork?) but MBM believes that even though M-Class owners might not do such things, it is still good that they know they have the capability. After all, flash floods occur even in the city nowadays!  | M-Class owners may not do serious and rough off-roading but Mercedes-Benz engineers make sure it has the capability to cope with extreme conditions | |
So for 2009, the ML350 (imported to Malaysia from the Mercedes-Benz factory in the USA) comes with an Off-Road Pro engineering package as standard. Basically, this package works in conjunction with the AIRMATIC air suspension system (with electronically-controlled damping) to allow the vehicle’s ride height to be raised by up to 90 mm so that it is possible to cross a flooded stretch that is 600 mm deep. With the ride height pushed to maximum, the ground clearance can be as much as 291 mm. However, this is only for use on specific occasions and when driving on the highway, the suspension will be lowered for stability and comfort. The tyres, however, are standard dual-purpose types with the pattern biased towards highway driving, meaning comfort and low noise levels.
It goes without saying that the every model with the 3-Pointed Star offers occupant protection that is above-average for the industry. After all, this is the company that has been a pioneer in introducing safety devices and apart from all the usual stuff like airbags, ABS, traction control, the ML350 also has Pre-Safe, a system which anticipates an accident happening and then prepares the various safety systems to be able to function at their best. It anticipates by high-speed analysis of the vehicle movements in relation to steering wheel angle, wheel speed, etc. One obvious action which occupants will feel when the driver slams on the brakes is the sudden tightening of the seatbelts to enhance restraint. Depending on the severity, the windows will also rise and the sunroof will move to closed position (although it is obvious that the accident will be over before the sunroof can be totally shut).
Pre-Safe is especially important for a SUV which is tall and has a higher centre of gravity. Its cornering dynamics differ from a sedan which sits lower and therefore it is more susceptible to roll-over if the cornering is extremely violent. Pre-Safe monitors vehicle angle and can determine if the roll is excessive and take the necessary action to protect the occupants if the vehicle tips over. The interior has been upgraded with high-quality materials such as ARTICO (man-made) leather and 2-tone leather appointments are also available as an option to give a hand-made impression. In the enhanced interior, the eye is also drawn to the new 4-spoke leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with its chrome trim. Instead of buttons, there are now shift paddles behind the steering wheel, upshifting on one side, and downshifting on the other. The transmission shifter is also easy to use, with a minimum number of positions to select.  | ML350 now has a rearview camera to aid reversing. The tiny camera lens is positioned over the numberplate under the trim piece (circled on the left) | |
This latest M-Class features a brand new telematics generation developed by Mercedes-Benz, offering a new dimension in user-friendliness, high performance and a host of useful new functions. Integrated features include a hands-free system using Bluetooth technology, and an auxiliary connection for mobile audio devices, including the iPod and USB sticks. On request, there is also a new Media Interface, which can connect an external music device with the onboard electronics and control system, enabling music tracks to be shown in the instrument cluster and the colour display in the centre console, and conveniently accessed using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel. At the same time, the audio device's battery can also charged which it is connected.
There is a choice of three units, all of them with a colour display, a twin tuner for improved radio reception, speed-sensitive volume control, a keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies and the Bluetooth interface which enables a mobile phone to be wirelessly linked to the hands-free system. Along with the new telematics generation, Mercedes-Benz also is now also offering enhanced LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system as an optional extra in the M Class for the first time. The ML350 also comes with a route guidance system using GPS and the system is hard disk-based so it operates faster than those which use DVDs. Mercedes-Benz works with Tele-Atlas for the maps and from the ones we’ve seen in other models so far (the most recent being the S500L), the maps are fairly up-to-date but it is impossible to keep maps 100% up to date, especially for Malaysia when there is much development going on and new roads keep appearing.
The occupants are also able to enjoy a surround-sound experience of concert hall quality with the latest generation of the optional Harman Kardon Logic7® sound system, which is claimed to deliver exceptionally clear sound with its 610 watts and digital signal processor. Rear-seat passengers also have the option of a new entertainment system with two large 8-inch screens, a centrally integrated DVD player, two sets of wireless headphones for greater freedom of movement as well as two remote controls. The screens are mounted on the headrests and though they look like after-market installations, they are original Mercedes-Benz items and designed for the M-Class.
The new ML350 is priced at RM548,888 (without insurance) and the price for the ML63 AMG can be provided on request.  | US version shown with tinted privacy glass. Version sold in Malaysia has normal tinted glass that meets regulations | |
To know more about the new M-Class, visit any C&C Bintang Mercedes-Benz Autohaus. Click here for the location of their branches around Malaysia.
Looking for pre-owned models or special numberplates? Check the MTM Database for advertisements, updated weekly. Need to sell off your current vehicle quickly? Advertise in Motor Trader and it could be gone fast! Click here for a form to book your advertisement in Malaysia’s most widely-read auto classifieds magazine for more than 10 years.
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