Test drive Mercedes Benz ML class w163 1997-2001 SUV
For the first time in the M-Class
Winter came to the capital. In addition to the inevitable ice and slush, she brought with her something more: with the first snowfall, the hit of the season fell on the city - Mercedes M -Klasse. The fact that Moscow has become a place where global autonovers appear with the heat of the heat is already surprising. And let the new SUV from MB for a year ahead is painted exclusively for the American market. Russia wants - Russia has! This is a tradition.
Drang Nah ...?
As a bridgehead for a new large-scale offensive on the world market, Daimler-Benz AG chose the United States. Oh, the hard fate of the winners! She suffered not only Russia ... The concern built a whole factory in Alabama and gave out a new car of the popular SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) in the USA. So here they refer to a means of transportation addressed to people committed by an active lifestyle outside the asphalt, but do not want to act as the basic principle of automotive America - comfort.
Here he is. More precisely, they. Beautiful, there is no dispute, but something in their appearance gives rise to conflicting feelings. From the face - a lot from the C -class. Otherwise, nothing in common with the usual Mercedes silhouettes.
Rounded, smooth and pot -bellied. From him literally blows something warm and home. Maybe even too much. Especially in comparison with the harsh angular Mercedes G320. A civilian man next to the tattered portups and straps with a steep standard. The intellectual egg -headed. I can’t even believe that in fact he is not much inferior to a dashing warrior. And in some ways, Herra officer will even beat. A deliberately rough grille of the radiator with a massive three -beam star suggests: this spar is not simple, not simple - something very serious for his soul is definitely.
M-classics
Inside us, a well -known Mercedes salon meets us. The usual location of the devices and controls, the shape of the front panel and the central console, convenient seats - everything is designed in a completely classic Mercedes manner. Although not without Americanisms, specialists of American design bureau firmly attached a hand to the M -class.
A small number of overseas pieces are strung on the classic Mercedes rod: there are no side supports on the seats, the control of lighting devices is carried on the steering column on the left, and the wipers on the right, as in most European and Japanese machines, and, of course, unchanged compulsibles, however, on Rarely elegantly integrated in the front panel. However, the Mercedes ingredients clearly prevail in this German-American cocktail, and American components of taste do not spoil.
The copies we tested slightly differed in configuration and color. A set of various service equipment is standard. It, as an indispensable components, includes a triple-computer with information about the date, time, the sinking temperature, the supply of the course by fuel and the consumption of this fuel itself; cruise and climate control; Electric power plants of glasses, mirrors and hatch.
A white car with combined - leather+fabric - the interior trim is deprived of heating seats, unlike the second - dark green, completely tightened into the skin. Manufacturers probably believe that at a minus temperature, the ass will independently warm the fabric.
The ignition key is a separate work of art. Everything is here: control of a security system, immobilizer, and the beard itself is cleaned into the key building, like a blade of a rifling knife.
Well, a small difference in music: the one that is simpler, has a standard Mercedes, with a CD changer, and in that skin is a musical system from BOSE, of course, with the same chainger.
The rear seats, ready to accommodate three full-sized passengers, are easily transformed into a huge sleeping and gaging compartment. By the way, people who have placed behind, as in most average jeeps, will not have to clap themselves with their knees in the process of overcoming soil irregularities.
What is the Russian good, then to the German ... easy!
We join the flow of cars on one of the Moscow streets. It immediately becomes clear that the M-class fits perfectly into the half-steamy mode of movement in the city center and feels like a fish in water. The behavior is almost indistinguishable from the classic sedan. The 218-horsepower six-cylinder engine easily throws the car forward. He works silently and softly, without vibrations. A five -speed adaptive automatic gearbox clearly reacts to all wishes. None of the existing SUVs can boast of the presence of a similar one. Since 1997, something similar has been installed on the Shevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, but this is a completely different class of cars. The work of the checkpoint is controlled by a computer taking into account many different factors, including the nature of the road surface, the degree of adhesion of the wheels with the road and the driving style. The dynamics is such that not every passenger with a mechanical box is able to compete. We did not fail to verify this personally and with great satisfaction noted that the statements of manufacturers for this part are fully consistent with the truth.
But the holy of holies and the subject of exorbitant pride of gentlemen from Stuttgart - a unique all -wheel drive system with independent electronic control of each wheel of 4 -ts - it is simply impossible to test on a relatively dry asphalt. It is felt that Mercedes stands firmly in the turns, not making the slightest attempt to fall into slipping. For a thorough check, a well -blown, with ice spots and salted bald patches, was found. What is needed. We tried to pull the cars in sliding, in the ski, twist, sharply turning the steering wheel and at the same time pressing the gas well. It is twisted to twist, the lateral slip also seems to occur if you try very hard, but the car does not get out of control for a second. Turning the steering wheel, a few manipulations of the gas pedal - the car rushes, where it is indicated. A stain of naked asphalt, which, after gliding on the ice, fell one of the wheels, it would seem, should have caused a breakthrough in the corresponding direction, but you could not turn the m-class from the path. Sustainability and control is phenomenal.
Plus a symbol of belonging
It is extremely difficult to achieve universality in a car - always some qualities are lost by acquiring others. In the case of M-class, their optimal combination was outlined.
Go around the city, to the office, the bank or where you still need to - if you still need: no minuses in the ease of management and comfort. In any case, the floors of a long cashmere coat on the threshold do not get dirty, that's for sure. To help close relatives move elements of excess furniture from an apartment to an apartment - please. To arrange a shopping with a visit to all kinds of outlets - from food to furniture - is also not a problem. The entrances to his beloved slide, where a cheerful company of ski lovers gathers, is voluntarily - welcome to the M -Class.
And the star shining with a silver light about three rays confirms belonging to a successful caste of the rich and healthy.
The happy owners of the M -class Mercedes can still be found in only two countries - in America and ... in Russia.
There was nothing surprising in the fact that Mercedes-Benz began satisfaction with the USA. The Americans really love SUVs. And the further, the stronger. Last year, 44 percent belonged to this type. All cars sold in the USA. In the current, as expected, there will already be 50 percent. So the appearance of an SUV in a Mercedes car family is a very psychological step. Moreover, Porsche and Volkswagen were cooperated and prepared for the production of such a machine, BMW is going to produce an all -wheel drive of increased cross -country ability, even rumors walked about the jaguar jeep at one time.
In Russia, the early start of sales of the M-class is explained exclusively by the activity of gray dealers. Some of them can not only fulfill the order for delivery, but even have living vehicles - come at least tomorrow. If we talk only about official channels, then in the USA orders began to be accepted in early summer, and they began issuing in September. In Germany and Russia, the official reception of orders opened in early autumn. However, supplies will have to wait a long time: they will begin in the second quarter of 1998.
Meanwhile, the German jeep collects praise of the press around the world. And not only car.
The famous American magazine Popular Science, for example, announced the car with the best technological novelty of the year. Of the more traditional awards - the title of jeep of the year, which the Germans presented to the Germans magazine Motor Trend. This, of course, is not as cool as a car of the year, but also not bad.
And the last. As the Mercedes polls showed, almost all the buyers of the new jeep are people who already have at least one Merce in their garage. Thus, the M-class, paradoxically, is destined to play the role of the second car in the family.
The autopilot thanks the car dealership Pioneer, (095) 213-8594, 212-1490, for the cars provided for the test. For the period of the test, the cars were insured in the company RESO-Garantia, (095) 250-3600, 255-6834.
Model/Modification Mercedes-Benz ml320
The manufacturer Mercedes-Benz of America Inc.
Production country Germany - USA
BODY
Type station wagon
Number of doors/places 5/5
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point electronic injection
Location in front, longitudinally
Working volume (cubic meter) 3199
Number/location of cylinders 6/V-shaped
Cylinder diameter/piston stroke (mm) 89.9x84
Compression degree 10.0: 1
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 160 (218) at 5600
Moment, NM at about./Min. 315 at 3000-4500
The number of valves/cylinder 3/6
TRANSMISSION
Automatic adaptive five -speed
The drive is permanent to all wheels with an electronic distribution system of torque for each wheel of 4-ets
The handout is 2-speed, with electronic control
Transporting number of norms/lowering. 1: 1/2.64: 1
SUSPENSION
Front independent, torsion, on two transverse swinging levers with a reptile stabilizer
The rear is independent, on two transverse swinging levers with cylindrical springs and a reptile stabilizer
Suspension move (mm) 203
STEERING
Type gear-rake with hydraulic power and integral hydraulic shock absorber
Brakes
Automatic system for redistributing brake force between front and rear brakes
Front disk, ventilated
The rear disc
ABS 4-channel, on all wheels, with a special mode for working in reduced gears
Wheels
Tire size 255/65R16 109T M+S
Alloy wheels, 8JJX16
Dimensions/about EME/Weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4587/1833/1776
Wheel base (mm) 2820
Track (mm) 1535
Clearance (mm) 214
Broda depth (mm) 508
Min. angle of entry/congress (city) 28.9/26.0
Minimum turning radius (m) 11.3
Dry mass (kg) 1922
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 180
Acceleration to 96 km/h (sec.) 9.5
$ 90,000 molestered price in Moscow
What else
Many technical innovations implemented by Daimler-Benz AG give known advantages over colleagues who have taken quite strong positions in our market to date. At the same time, the price category in which the M-Class entered puts it on a par with the most sophisticated SUVs.
Lexus LX450 and Range Rover 4.0 SE are the most typical representatives of this group, they have already proved their abilities and opportunities on Russian roads and outside them. Based on the main technical characteristics and results of editorial tests, we can conclude that they are approximately equal to each other, although ML320 clearly surpasses its rivals in a number of running qualities.
Lexus has a stable reputation of a reliable all -terrain vehicle that will not let its owner in almost any road situation.
According to the experts of the Land Rover, Range Rover 4.0 SE plant are also able to perform any arbitrary Off-Road program. Unfortunately, our compatriots mainly use it as a city limousine - due to the high cost of technical and service, as well as the lack of high -quality service, many are afraid to rape it in full.
Another M -class colleague, Ssangyong Musso MJ, although he is his closest relative - has an exceptionally original and elegant appearance and is equipped with almost similar motor - he loses in many ways, and it is difficult to assume that the Korean relative will be preferred to the American.
Andrey Bakuta,
Andrey Timofeev,
Dmitry Novokreshhenov (photo)
Source: "Autopilot"
