REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Off-road dragster

Mercedes has been expanding its M Class, by offering the ML55 for performance enthusiasts. A real dirt road dragster, this version is powered by a 349hp, 5.4-litre V8. It’s enough to bristle the hair on your neck. To get a better feel of the beast, Mercedes added downhill traction control and an improved steering rack.Rodin himself would admire the shape of this model’s comfortable seats, sleek and covered in leather if you choose the Elegance packaging. However, he wouldn’t have been very impressed with the instrument panel, including a forest of levers springing out of the steering column. Another oversight - the air conditioning system doesn’t let front seat passengers regulate temperature individually. The rear modular seat may have three headrests, but passengers have to deal with narrow doors as they climb aboard. In short, finish is exquisite but the quality of some materials is surprising on a vehicle of this caliber. Mercedes pulls out all the stops when it comes to safety, though: the M- Class has two conventional airbags and two others housed in the doors, in case of side impact. Reassuring!Keep in mind that under its utility guise, the M-Class is first and foremost a Mercedes, in other words a vehicle with the very latest technology in active and passive safety devices. On the road, forget the imprecise steering systems that plague its rivals; the M-Class rides like a real automobile: tight turning radius, clean steering, a well calibrated suspension (independent in the rear) and brakes that are the height of efficiency. The engine of choice is the new 3.2-liter 3-valve per cylinder V6, which may not have the sound and the apparent smoothness of the in-line six-cylinder, but is perfectly good at getting its job done nonetheless. The torque-generous V6 reaches very acceptable performance levels, and you have to wonder why it’s worth investing in the 288 hp 5.0-liter V8 available on the ML 500. This model’s 215 horses are controlled by an excellent five-speed automatic transmission, the only one available. For those who crave technology and off-road adventure, the M-Class’s all-wheel drive is based on the ETS (Electronic Traction System), which controls the three differentials that are part of the vehicle’s features (one in the front, one in the middle and a third in the rear).

PROS
Off-road capabilities
Short turning radius
Passenger and cargo space

CONS
Some inferior quality materials
Fuel economy
Complexity

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