Mercedes-Benz ML320 delivers car-like ride from SUV platform
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Only hours following a gully-washer rain storm, the new sport-utility wagon tackled a slippery trail of mud, which led up a wooded slope at a dauntingly steep angle. Yet smart wheels, linked to an on-board computer, maintained traction at all times because the unconventional system distributed power to each wheel individually, or in sets, so tires always got a good grip.
At one point a fallen tree blocked the hillside trail, prompting a driver to veer around the barricade in a maneuver that pitched the wagon precariously at a canted angle, left wheels up the slope and right ones in the rut.
Despite a firm stance through the tricky move, as driver I felt we might roll down the hill at any moment.
"Do not worry," advised my copilot, Dr. Gerhard Fritz, who heads the Alabama group developing the first Mercedes-Benz product ever produced outside of Germany. "If you roll it, those big trees will catch our fall."
The wagon did not roll, however, perhaps as proof of its wily off-road manners, but Dr. Fritz never seemed concerned that it would. As team leader for this remarkable yet unusual vehicle, he has spent countless hours putting it through far more grueling workouts, and he knows its limits -- which in my tests were never reached.
Earlier, as production models of the new Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz ML320 debuted to an audience of automotive journalists, Dr. Fritz recounted the development team's goal: To create a new type of sport-utility vehicle possessing the driving characteristics and comforts of a fine Mercedes sedan, but also the cargo-hauling capacity and go-anywhere attributes of a rugged 4-wheel-drive wagon.
A long test day of steering an ML320 in various settings -- urban streets and multi-lane freeways, snaky 2-lane mountain roads and dicey trails of dirt and mud -- confirmed that the new Mercedes more than meets these goals.
It is, without question, an incredible machine.
The most significant aspect of the wagon may be its ability to mimic the smooth and controllable driving characteristics of a Mercedes sedan. It feels luxurious and always comfortable and quiet, but on a twisty set of mountain curves takes all corners in flat stance and wiggles like a sporty thing.
Developed from scratch, the ML320 rides on a stiff new chassis designed expressly for it, with twist-resistant boxed sections that create an inherently rigid platform.
Apply front and rear suspension sub-frames and rubber body mounts and you end up with a foundation that's stronger, stiffer and quieter than most passenger cars.
Then comes the unexpected: Fully independent double wishbone suspension for all wheels, to further isolate the passenger compartment from lumps of the road and also set up a highly maneuverable vehicle.
The typical truckish sport-utility can jar you senseless, in part due to the rear leaf-spring suspension that's not much different than what a horse-drawn buckboard once used. The Mercedes wagon, by switching to car-like independent rear suspension elements, tames a wagon's rough ride and ends up changing the ride sensation from harsh and bouncy to smooth, comfortable, and at times even fun.
Although the platform stands tall enough to clear off-road obstacles with ease, it also has a relatively low step-in height so you don't feel like you have to hike a leg or add a running board to climb aboard. That translates to another car-like quality for easy entry, but once inside, riders sit on tall seats and get a good view above traffic, which is an attractive trait borrowed from sport-utilities.
The passenger compartment looks and feels like it was lifted from the Mercedes E320 -- plush bucket seats, center console, full instrumentation, wood trimmings and a host of handy conveniences tucked into every nook.
Second tier seats use a bench with bottom split about a third to one side, but three articulated backrests fold forward individually to expand the cargo bay in various ways. Also, seats will inch forward to increase cargo area or tumble to maximize space.
For hauling even more people, two folding jump seats may be installed optionally in the rear. When not used, they fold up and store against upper sides of the cargo bay. With this arrangement, ML320 increases the seating capacity to seven and mimics a minivan.
For power, ML320 sports a new Mercedes 3.2-liter V6.
This high-tech engine, with aluminum block and cylinder heads, employs an overhead cam, innovative dual ignition system and balanced shaft for smooth and quiet operation. Output, despite the relatively small displacement, climbs to 215 hp, and torque peaks at 233 lbs/ft.
It connects to an electronic 5-speed automatic transmission that can out-think a driver. So smooth and efficient that you barely detect the shift patterns, this system can determine when it's best to stay in a lower gear without initiating annoying upshifts -- as demonstrated during an off-road maneuver descending a steep grade when the lowest gear was needed to retard momentum.
The full-time 4-wheel-drive system does not lock axles to maintain traction in slippery situations, but instead can sense a slipping wheel electronically, then brake the slippage and redirect power to wheels with better grip.
For rugged travel off-pavement, the system has an electronically-controlled 2-speed transfer case with lower gear settings -- activated by dashboard button.
Other notable mechanical features include power rack and pinion steering for better turning control, plus big disc brakes at all wheels with anti-lock system added.
So many safety features come with this Mercedes that itemization would take up too much space. Structural crumple zones and side door bracing are key components, as are twin front airbags -- front door airbags too.
Outward appearances of ML320 can be deceiving. The fluid design, with so many curves disguising the boxy nature of a wagon, appears smaller than it actually measures.
Despite its innovations and all kinds of comforts, the new Mercedes knocks a big hole in price barriers for the luxury SUV market because its base figure around $35,000 falls below even domestic competition.
Fully outfitted with leather upholstery, premium Bose sound system, a sunroof and heated seats, ML320 still lists for less than $40,000.
The only problem: Mercedes will build a mere 35,000 of these amazing wagons this year, so prospective buyers may end up fighting for the right to drive one home.
1998 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 WAGON
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| 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size sport-utility wagon |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sport-utility wagon |
| Wheelbase: |
111.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
180.6 inches
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| Engine Size: |
SOHC 3.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/5 |
| Drive: |
AWD/TCS |
| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2+2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
17/21 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 35,000 to $ 40,000 |
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