Test drive Mercedes Benz ML class W166 since 2011 SUV

The ancestor

New generation new priorities Mercedes M-class

He somehow suddenly appeared, not a SUV, but not a brutal all-terrain vehicle like this, something average. He was the first, he was the one with which it all began: large, comfortable, but quite utilitarian by the current standards of SUV with an excellent pedigree and some off -road lotions. Now you will not surprise anyone like it, but then it was a breakthrough. Fashionable analogues from BMW, Lexus or Volvo now appeared later and immediately rushed into battle, trying to grab their piece of such a tidbit. And in the end they succeeded. But today he is ready to recover from the followers, the time has come for the second generation of Mercedes M-class.

Outwardly, the second ML is somewhat reminiscent of its predecessor, but it is almost the same body profile, a similar grate of the radiator with a proprietary emblem in the center, the roof still relies on wide rear racks ... But in general we have a completely different car. The external puffiness, the peacefulness of forms disappeared, it has become larger, but at the same time more dynamic, modern and angrier. Bampers have changed, clear faces appeared on the front optics, and powerful ribs appeared on the sides and wheel arches ... But, characteristic, the car did not become less solid, which means that he did not change its status, it is still the first, he is the ancestor.

Inside, another front panel, the converted central console, even the climate control unit looks different ... It is no longer so utilitated, although by and large the interior of the new Mercedes does not amaze. Yes, it is American in American, heated, but very pathos. In front of the driver is a light polyurethane, around him is almost white skin, and a fiber carpet and rubber rugs are under his feet.

In general, inside it is gorgeous, expensive, in the Mergedesian high-quality ... But, I'm sorry, who said that the wooden decoration of the central console, the steering wheel and door panels in this case is beautiful, especially if you recall the aggressive appearance of the crossover, which is clearly gravitating to the Hi style -Tech. More modern materials like polished steel or titanium here would probably look more appropriate. However, in this case there is a pro -American mixture of styles, and since the ML is primarily intended for the overseas market, the local customers, as they say, order the music.

The level of comfort in the new SUV, as before, is the highest class. In this component, he does not find equal, at least among competitors. A full electric package, a three-zone climatic installation, a multifunctional steering wheel and a multimedia system with a large LCD display, which controls a radio receiver, a CD player, a six discs, as well as an optional phone, a TV and a DVD player ... nothing unusual. After all, these are Mercedes. But what are multi -circuit front seats with a comprehensive system for memorizing parameters ...

In each of them, for nine (!) Electro -regulations, including setting up lumbar rollers and side support pillows. Of course, such chairs are a very expensive option, but such a circumstance does not diminish their advantages. There are also drives in the SUV that regulate the position of the steering column, but with such a range of seats, this function is already irrelevant, since even without it, anyone is equally conveniently arranged, regardless of complexion and growth. The rear sofa is not equipped with such bells and whistles, but here you can sit with the same comfort as in front. Moreover, the three, if necessary, using the benefits of civilization as personal electric windows and climate control. In a sense, the engineers took care of the baggage, however, as well as about its owner. Firstly, they almost 20 liters increased the volume of the luggage compartment, and secondly, they equipped the fifth door with an electric drive (unfortunately, again with optional), which can be controlled by both buttons on the door itself and remotely using a keyener or a special key , located to the left of the driver's seat.

Nevertheless, these are not the main changes that the second generation of this Mercedes has been subjected to. The main metamorphoses are more likely to the technical part. Firstly, the SUV itself grew 150 mm in length and 71 mm in width, so that the cabin became more spacious. Its height decreased by 9 mm, but this did not affect the passengers. It is much more interesting that now the car has a carrier body, so it has become a real crossover, like its closest competitors. In part, this decision is debatable, because from the point of view of the conquest of off -road, this is a tangible loss. Nevertheless, on the other hand, the winning in the running characteristics is also obvious, which in this case is much more important.

The SUV has a permanent all -wheel drive controlled by an improved system for adjusting the traction of the 4TS engine. There are also many electronic systems. Moreover, in addition to standard ABS, ASR, BAS and ESP, automatic braking control during the DSR descent appeared in the database. By the way, if the buyer, as they say, was impatient, he can install the Offroad Pro option package, which includes a 2-speed hand-up CP with the ability to block the center and rear differentials, which, if necessary, are automatically or manually connected at speeds up to 40 km/h. This package will be available to Russian customers during the fall, so we could not check the performance of this system. Nevertheless, our test ML 350, although it did not have such a serious preparation for the conquest of off-road, but some feats were still capable of in the lower part of the central console only a button with a very unequivocal icon that informed 4ets that the road was over. After pressing it, the system rebuilts the automatic transmission algorithm and the engine throttle, which allows more clearly dose gas supply.

Once inside the test ml, the first thing your correspondent involuntarily drew attention to, the lack of a KP lever in the same place. The car was equipped with a seven-speed AKP 7G-Tronic, so instead of a selector in the central tunnel, only a couple of hatches that cover the cup holders and an ashtray turned out to be. Subconsciously, the hand immediately reached for the American poker, but there is empty, almost empty. To the right of the steering wheel was a small switch, the same as on the BMW seven: down d, up r, neutral in the middle, and to go to the parking, just press the button in the end. Everything is logical and simple, using it is no more difficult than the wiper switch. However, if the difficulties with adaptation of someone still arise, there is a display with prompts and indication of selected ranges on the instrument panel. By the way, as it turned out, in the new ML there is not even a hint of a direct change in the automatic transmission modes, at least the D/C keys, as in the same B-class, we did not find. But at the same time, a pair of buttons for manual gearboxes was found on the back of the steering wheel. However, having endowed them with identical functions, the Mercedes clearly overdoed the outer half of each of them switches the box up, and the internal, respectively, down. Given the size, using them is not very convenient. In addition, this mode cannot be called truly manual in essence, it only limits the range, setting the limit on a given program.

In general, on the go, the new ML turned out to be very nothing. Many fans of the model, he will surely like his predecessor, this Mercedes has become more driver and more obedient. A modified 3.5-liter V-shaped six, which received a 350 nm of torque, which has received an additional valve in each cylinder, so that confident and powerful acceleration is guaranteed. It is also worth noting the magnificent operation of the automatic transmission, and excellent brakes, and the perfectly balanced suspension is quite comfortable, but at the same time it is very stable both in straight and in corners, and, despite the high center of gravity, does not annoy especially strong clicks and rolls. By the way, the driver has the opportunity to choose one of the three programmed settings of the proprietary air suspension DC Airmatic (on the ML 350 option, on other modifications it is included in the base) Auto, Comfort or Sport. It may be very curious and another observation seems that along with the suspension settings in one direction or another, both the characteristics of the steering and the characteristics of the automatic transmission, although it is quite possible that this is the subjective opinion of the author of these lines. In comfortable mode, the car is softer, impressive, slightly larger than the rolls in corners, tangible more than the buildup at high speeds ... In the sports, on the contrary, it becomes more rigid, collected, more obedient, but some kind of comfort will have to be sacrificed. In automatic mode, the suspension is independently adjusted to the driver and to a specific section of the road, trying to compensate for certain shortcomings of the previous settings.

Here is this ML number two got rid of the shortcomings, acquired advantages, so the revenge is quite capable of taking. However, you probably will not have to wait long for the return passage from rivals.

Text: Vladimir Zhidkov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [12.09.2005]