Mercedes - M Class Euro NCAP - No rating yet
A proper posh motor!
Understated and elegant with a plushness and quality throughout, the M Class 4x4 flaunts plenty of interior space to stretch out in style. It drives superbly, both on and off road. The whole package oozes subtle sophistication and comes with a comprehensive list of
standard equipment.
With muscle and bulk to back up the menacing looks there are some cracking engines, too, including a brand new whisper-quiet 3.0-litre V6 diesel, a sublime 5.0-litre V8 and a 510bhp 6.3-litre model - enough to satisfy the most serious petrol heads. Superb sound insulation - and improved engine technology - means that the diesel remains quiet even under heavy acceleration
Driver comfort is paramount and the entertaining electric seats can become very addictive! All versions feature cruise and climate control, four electric windows and automatic transmission. ML 320 CDI and ML 350 have driver and front passenger airbags, DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation), heated door mirrors, permanent four-wheel-drive, ABS, traction control, brake assist, ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) and seven-speed automatic 7G-TRONIC gearbox. SE add metallic paint and leather upholstery. Sport models get larger alloy wheels, and a sporty interior trim. There's an optional off-road package with low-ratio gears for serious off-roaders.
There's no Euro NCAP rating yet, however Mercedes was the 2007 winner of the prestigious Whatcar? Safety Award, so as you'd expect the M Class comes loaded with safety features. Pre-Safe - a system that works with the stability control to adjust the seating position of the front passenger to put front occupants in the safest possible position if a crash seems likely, as well as closing any open windows or sunroof, and activating the seatbelt pre-tensioners. All versions feature an alarm and, immobilisation system, front, side and curtain airbags, along with a full range of electronic braking and stability aids. Headlamps switch on automatically if it's dark.
All models come with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. In addition you also get a 3 year paint and 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.
About the manufacturer
DaimlerChrysler is committed to at spectrum of pioneering technologies designed to cut fuel consumption and emissions in cars and commercial vehicles. Their 'Energy For The Future' initiative includes; Optimisation of Petrol and Diesel Technology;
Improvement in Conventional Fuels; Production Related Environmental Protection; Development of Regenerative and Synthetic Fuels; Development of alternatives such as Hybrid echnology, Smart ev (zero emissions and up to 72 mpg) and Fuel Cells (water is the only tailpipe emission).
The new Mercedes S class received the world's first environmental certificate for a car when it received certification by TUV. The new C class was the second car ever to be awarded certification.
A true leader in fuel cell transportation, DaimlerChrysler has spent more than U.S $1 billion in fuel cell vehicle research and development. As at Sept 2006, no other manufacturer had accumulated more vehicles or data or driven more zero-emission miles - 1.3 million miles (approx. 2.1 million kilometres).
The DaimlerChrysler fuel cell vehicle fleet is diverse - in addition to several research vehicles it includes more than 30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses, which are in operation in Europe, United States, Western Australia, Japan, China and Singapore. As part of the world's largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles, DaimlerChrysler has more than 100 fuel cell vehicles with customers around the world.
DaimlerChrysler pioneered fuel cell vehicle technology more than a decade ago. Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a high level of efficiency and is true zero-emissions. Hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles emit only pure water vapour as exhaust. DaimlerChrysler works closely with Ballard Power Systems to develop the fuel cell stack.
Daimler is also looking into biofuels and synthetic fuels and have a project manufacturing Biodiesel made from wild Jatropha shrubs which thrive in poor soil conditions in India. Sundiesel is an advanced 2nd generation biofuel project manufacturing a high quality fuel from Biomass such as wood chippings, with no engine modifications needed.