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2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500
The all-new 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is characterized by an aggressive wedge shape complemented by sweeping front fenders, dramatic shoulder lines and a sharply angled windshield. The interior is completely redesigned to provide more comfort, more features and more user-friendly space.
New Mercedes-Benz M-Class Reaffirms Leadership of Sport Utility MarketWhen the Mercedes-Benz M-Class first arrived eight years ago, the new sport utility vehicle started a trend that inspired the entire auto industry to shift toward more luxurious car-like SUVs. Launched as the only sport utility in its class with four-wheel independent suspension, the original M-Class was one of the first to be designed from the ground up, rather than being based on an existing truck platform. The first-generation M-Class also won a number of automotive awards, including the prestigious North American Truck of the Year.
The new SUV is 5.9 inches longer, 2.8 inches wider and 0.2 inches lower on the road than its predecessor, with a 114-inch wheelbase that’s 3.7 inches longer as well. Beneath its sleek exterior is an all-new unit body platform as well as a double-wishbone front suspension and a newly-developed four-link rear suspension that deliver impressive on-road driving performance and comfort.
New and useful technology abounds in the 2006 M-Class, including a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, an effective full-time four-wheel-drive system and optional features such as height-adjustable AIRMATIC air suspension. A revised four-wheel traction control system now incorporates functions such as a downhill driving aid and Hill-Start Assist.
ML500 Engine
The ML500 engine is a 5.0-liter 90-degree V8 with a single overhead camshaft in each cylinder bank. This engine architecture features twin spark plugs and three valves per cylinder – two intakes and one large exhaust valve.
Three-valve-per-cylinder technology can reduce exhaust emissions, especially during the critical warm-up stage. Catalysts must heat up to work effectively, and modern engines must heat up quickly.In the 5.0-liter V8, combustion heat in each of the large, single exhaust valves is dissipated through a sodium-filled valve stem, while exhaust heat is retained and insulated by double-wall piping in the exhaust manifold. The seamless double-wall manifold is made by using high-pressure liquid-forming technology for greater durability and lighter weight.
Spark Plugs Provide a One-Two Punch
Using one less exhaust valve also makes room for two spark plugs per cylinder, and an innovative offset-phase twin-plug ignition system is matched to the three-valve technology. Among other things, the dual ignition system activates the two spark plugs in each cylinder, one after the other in quick succession (rather than simultaneously), with varied “stagger,” depending on engine load and speed. This phase-shifted twin-plug sequence (as well as the basic ignition timing) changes after each combustion cycle for extremely precise control of the combustion process. This also enables combustion chamber pressures to be closely controlled to minimize combustion noise without sacrificing efficiency.
The World’s First Seven-Speed Automatic on an SUV
The new M-Class comes with the world’s only production seven-speed automatic transmission. When compared to the previous transmission generation, the seven-speed makes the SUV both faster and more economical while providing smooth, barely noticeable gearshifts.
Seven gear ratios provide a wider spread of ratios between first gear and top gear and, at the same time, allow smaller increases in engine speed as the vehicle accelerates through the gears. This gives the electronic control unit more flexibility in terms of maximizing fuel economy and making the transmission’s reaction time extremely fast.
Interior Design
The interior of the new M-Class has been completely redesigned and features high-quality materials finished with craftsman-like attention to detail. Once inside, the driver is greeted by a new four-spoke multifunction steering wheel with brushed aluminum accents on the lower spokes.
Behind the steering wheel is a new Mercedes-Benz electronically controlled gear selector mounted on the steering column to control the standard seven-speed automatic transmission.
A sport-oriented instrument panel is horizontally divided into an upper and lower section in both form and color. Four round circular vents are positioned at the left center and right sections of the sweeping dash, their chrome surrounds reminiscent of the engine housings found on jet aircraft.
The upper section of the dashboard arches over the instrument cluster, which is dominated by angled tubular gauge binnacles containing the speedometer and tachometer as well as fuel gauge and clock.
The clearly arranged center console features easily accessible and well-positioned ergonomic controls and displays. Located just below the two central air vents is the new standard Thermatic dual-zone climate control and a second-generation MCS II entertainment head unit (or optional COMAND system) that incorporates a single CD slot. Audiofiles will appreciate the optional harmon/kardon Logic 7 audio system featuring a glove-box mounted 6-disc CD changer with auxiliary input for MP3 players.
An optional integration kit that allows an iPod to be played through the vehicle’s audio system will debut on the 2006 M-Class and be available later on other models. When the iPod connects to the car in the glove box, selections can be made from the steering-wheel controls, and the playlist or titles appear in the central dash display.
Equal Parts Form and Function
The center console extends gracefully around the center transmission tunnel, which includes two large cupholders with the ability to hold two 32-oz. cups or one 44-oz. cup. Two integrated grab handles on the console echo the sweeping lines of the exterior and provide a firm gripping point for those occasional ventures on rough roads.
The two-tone color scheme of the interior is repeated on the center console, transmission tunnel and door panels, accented by burl walnut or aluminum trim (depending on the option package). The door panels are concave in form at elbow level, increasing elbow room, while their contours add a unique element of style.
The interior passenger compartment is configured in a five-passenger arrangement, and the 60:40 split second row is now easier to fold when the need arises. Customers can select from standard cloth or optional leather seating inserts on ML350 models while ML500 models feature standard leather. Optional AMG Sport and Appearance packages feature suede-like Alcantara seating and aluminum interior trim.
Four-Wheel Traction Control
The Mercedes-Benz M-Class stands apart from many other four-wheel-drive SUVs by using a four-wheel adaptation of the company’s proven electronic traction control to maintain stability and traction on wet or snowy roads. Sometimes referred to as 4ETS, this system senses wheel slip electronically and brakes the slipping wheels, which transfers torque to those tires with the most grip, on virtually any road surface.
Unlike many conventional four-wheel-drive systems, 4ETS automatically provides mobility even when three wheels lose traction. Maneuverability is enhanced, both on and off-road, and in tight steering situations there is no axle “binding,” which the driver would experience as sluggish steering response and vibration.
The center differential is located in a transfer case, along with a link chain which turns a prop shaft to the front differential. In vehicles equipped with an optional off-road package (coming in later in 2005), a planetary unit in the transfer case provides two selectable gear ranges – 1:1 for on-road use and a 2.93:1 low-range gear reduction for off-road travel.
Under ideal road and driving conditions, torque distribution is 50 percent front/50 percent rear, so the driver experiences the benefits of full-time four-wheel-drive. In slippery or off-road conditions, the benefit of the full-time system is obvious.
Yet, even on perfectly dry highways, the system makes its presence known by giving the M-Class secure, neutral handling characteristics. When road conditions turn slippery, or when the driver heads off-road, 4ETS can vary torque transfer front-to-rear and side-to-side to be directed to the wheels with traction. In practice, all available torque can even be transferred to one wheel.
New M-Class Sales to Begin in Spring 2005
Scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. during spring 2005 and in Europe that summer, the new sport utility is 5.9 inches longer, 2.8 inches wider and 0.4 inches lower on the road than its predecessor, with a 114-inch wheelbase that’s 3.7 inches longer as well for greater comfort. Beneath the aerodynamic exterior is an all-new unit body platform as well as new suspension that delivers improved on-road performance and comfort.
About the M-Class Plant in Alabama
The new M-Class sport utility is being built at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. During the eight-year life cycle of the first-generation vehicle, more than 570,000 M-Class SUVs were produced at the plant, with about half of them sold in the U.S. Since 2001, the plant has undergone a $600 million expansion that doubles production capacity to 160,000 vehicles a year and doubles the size of the plant to about three million square feet. The Alabama plant is expected to double its workforce to 4,000 as well. The expanded plant includes two assembly shops, two paint shops and an expanded body shop.
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