Massaged M-class for more

MERCEDES-BENZ has announced higher prices and equipment levels for its facelifted M-class SUV range, which goes on sale in mid-September with a number of cosmetic and equipment upgrades.

On top of the July 1 luxury car tax increase that saw M-class prices rise between $1285 and $6145, the midlife makeover for Mercedes’ five-seat luxury off-roader now sees pricing rise between $255, for the range-topping ML63 AMG (which rises from $167,245 to $167,500) and $3022, for the ML350 Luxury that rises to $94,000.

Meantime, the entry-level ML280 CDI rises by $615 to $81,000, the ML320 CDI Luxury rises by $2844 to $97,000 and the ML500 Luxury rises by $2626 to $127,500.

As we reported when the facelift was revealed globally in March, the new-look M-class features a new front bumper, reshaped headlights and a larger grille up front, plus a new rear bumper with integrated reflector strips and smoked-glass tail-lights.

Similarly, the ML63 AMG scores new front and rear aprons with chromed undergaurds, plus a bigger AMG grille.

Inside there is a new four-spoke multi-function steering wheel and a new two-tone leather colour scheme, available in either black/cashmere beige or black/alpaca grey.

Technology upgrades includes the fitment of Benz’s new high-performance telematics system with universal communication interface (UCI), as standard across the five-variant M-class range.

Off-road drivers will welcome the availability of an externally-mounted full-size spare wheel/tyre carrier, as seen on the first-generation ML, for the first time with the new model.

Engine choices remain the same, with the entry-level ML280 CDI turbo-diesel continuing to offer 140kW/440Nm from its turbo-diesel V6.

However, the revised ML280 CDI gains five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, an NTG 2.5 Audio 20 AM/FM/six-CD sound system with MP3, WNA and ACC compatibility plus a five-inch colour monitor and Bluetooth connectivity, and UCI media interface auxiliary connectivity.

The (200kW/350Nm) ML350 Luxury petrol and (165kW/510Nm) ML320 CDI Luxury diesel V6 variants gain five-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, a powered front passenger seat with memory function, a reversing camera, Artico-trimmed upper dashboard and the NTG 2.5 COMAND APS interface that adds DVD navigation, an SD card slot, 4GB hard-disc, 6.5 inch colour monitor and Linguatronic voice activation.

The ML320 CDI continues to returns the same claimed average fuel consumption figure as its detuned ML280 CDI cousin (9.6L/100km), while the ML350’s ADR81/01 figure is 11.7L/100km.

On top of the ML320/350’s extra standard equipment, the 285kW/530Nm 5.5-litre petrol V8-powered ML500 Luxury gains five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, a wood/leather steering wheel and an electric glass sunroof.

Finally, the flagship ML63 packs the same 375kW/630Nm 6.2-litre petrol V8, but now adds five-spoke 20-inch AMG alloys, a Nappa leather-trimmed upper dashboard and digital/analogue TV tuner, plus the same multi-media upgrades as the ML320, ML350 and ML500.

Mercedes-Benz says its has sold around 300,000 examples of the second-generation M-class globally since April 2005. To the end of July, however, Australian ML sales remain more than 20 per cent down on 2007 levels, at 1136 sales.

2009 M-class pricing:
ML280 CDI	$81,000
ML350	$94,000
ML320 CDI	$97,000
ML500	$127,500
ML63 AMG	$167,500

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First look: Mercedes-Benz massages M-class