Mercedes-Benz W164

Designing

Work on the successor model Mercedes-Benz W163 began in 1999. By the end of 2001, the car design project was completed, on which Steve Mattin worked under the strict supervision of Peter Pfeiffer . Finally, all documents were approved by the executive board of the company in 2002 ^[1] . Patents for industrial designs were filed in Germany on June 10, 2003, and in the USA on July 25. Testing of the prototype was carried out throughout 2003 and 2004 and was completed in early 2005. In total, the creation of a second generation M-class was spent about 6 years. DaimlerChrysler has invested heavily in its own factory in the city of Tuskalus ( Alabama ): more than $ 600 million was allocated for the assembly lines of the W164 and R-class cars that the company planned to introduce next year.

Debut (2005)

Concern DaimlerChrysler announced a new M-class in December 2004 ^[2] . The debut of the W164 model took place at the North American International Motor Show in January 2005. ^[2] Compared with the first generation, the car was completely modernized: it became 71 mm wider, 150 mm longer and 5 mm lower than its predecessor ^[2] , and thanks to the hard work on the body, the drag coefficient decreased from 0.40 to the first generations up to 0.34. The wheelbase also increased by 95 mm to 2,915 mm. The quality of the design has improved due to the use of a fully galvanized body with additional corrosion protection using organic coating at certain points and large plastic panels installed on the bottom. The platform, which was used to assemble the W164, was divided by the new GL-class and differed by the integrity of the components, in contrast to the previous model (W163).

The new M-class features included a 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission (the company abandoned the use of a manual transmission), an optional adaptive front-lighting system ( AFS ) with bi- xenon headlights, and an adjustable height air suspension ^[2] . Gearshift lever has been moved to the steering column. The 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system is preserved, equipped with an electronic four-wheel traction system ( 4-ETS ). In most countries, except the USA , the Off-Road Pro package with the function of locking the rear and axle differentials, reduced transmission and adjustable ground clearance was available as an option.

The model range consisted of gasoline ML350 (3.5 liter V6, 272 hp) and ML500 (5.0 liter V8, 306 hp,) and turbo diesel 3.0 liter V6 with a new generation CR system (their debut took place along with the premiere of the new M-Class) ML280 CDI (190 hp) and ML320 CDI (224 hp). The acceleration rate of the top-end modification with a five-liter 306-horsepower power unit from 0 to 100 km / h was 6.9 seconds, which is almost a second faster than the engine of the previous generation.

In 2006, the company presented the high-performance modification ML63 AMG at the North American International Motor Show . The model was equipped with a 6.3-liter M156 engine with a capacity of 510 hp. (380 kW) and torques of 630 Nm. Production was carried out in Affalterbach , Germany .

In the first two years of production of the second generation M-class, 250,000 units of the car were released ^[3] . In 2007, work was carried out on the restyling of the model. New solutions were patented in the domestic market of Germany on November 23, 2007.

Restyling (2008–2011)

Restyled version of the car was presented in March 2008 at the International Auto Show in New York ^[4] . On sale from dealers model became available in the fall of 2008. Changes in the appearance of touched bumpers and front optics, grille (it was enlarged and equipped with chrome inserts on the edges) ^[4] . The back of the body received a modified bumper with integrated reflectors and reversing light, as well as tinted glass optics. Roof rails and large exterior mirrors were installed as standard equipment. The interior has a new multifunction steering wheel with a chrome trim in the design with four leather-covered spokes. Door fittings were covered with artificial leather, and on request it was possible to install the seats with four-level lumbar support. In addition, the standard M-class equipped with a system of proactive protection of the driver and passengers of PreSafe and NeckPro special head restraints.

The changes also affected the lineup, albeit slightly: the diesel model ML 420 CDI was updated, the ML 280 CDI was renamed ML 300 CDI, the ML 320 CDI to ML 350 CDI, and the ML 420 CDI became known as the ML 450 CDI. All standard M-classes are still equipped with all-wheel drive and seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.

The upgrade also affected the high-performance version of the ML63 AMG, making its appearance even more impressive and aggressive. The car was equipped with wide tires with a dimension of 295/40 R20, and by request - at all 295/35 R21. The power unit remained unchanged.

In 2008 and 2009, models using BlueTEC urea injection technology for diesel power units were added to the series.

At the International Auto Show in New York in 2009, Mercedes-Benz introduced the new ML 450 Hybrid SUV , which was announced on April 8 of the same year. The car was equipped with several engines: one classic internal combustion engine and two electric motors built into the gearbox housing and performing different tasks. The first electric motor is located closer to the internal combustion engine and is designed to improve performance. The second is located at the output of the gearbox and is designed for breaking off (exclusively on electrics) and acceleration. For the maintenance of all engines, three planetary gears and four couplings were installed, which are controlled by an electronic control unit. The new model consumed almost 50% less fuel than the ML 550. At the same time, the total power reached 335 hp (250 kW), and the torque was 517 N · m. The fuel consumption of the new modification in accordance with measurements of the US Environmental Protection Agency was 9.8 liters per 100 km on the highway and 11 liters in the city.

The production of the second generation M-class was completed in 2011, and it was replaced by Mercedes-Benz W166 series cars.

Exterior

The exterior of the car in comparison with the first generation of the M-class has undergone a significant modernization. The model was equipped with aspherical side mirrors in body color, fog lights and fog lights, decorative trims in the lower part of the front and rear bumpers, lighting of the adjacent space (lights on the lower surface of the side mirrors), lights in the lower edge of the doors, 4th reflectors and heat protection tinted green glazing. Bumpers, moldings and door handles painted in body color.

Sport package

As with most other models of the company, a sport package was available for the M-Class, which included:

• AMG front bumper;
• chrome finish '
• special thresholds;
• AMG rear bumper;
• upholstery Alcantara / ARTICO ;
• front sports seats;
• COMMAND control and display system with APS navigation module;
• Alloy wheels in 5-spoke design;
• AMG style oval tailpipes.

Offroad Pro Package

Offroad Pro off-road package offered buyers a number of additional options, which included ^[2] :

• differential rear axle with locking;
• demultiplicator with the ability to move to a lower number of gears while driving;
• motor protection;
• compass ;
• manual mode for an automatic transmission;
• five-step adjustment of AIRMATIC air suspension with adaptive damping system ( Adaptive Damping System ).

AMG package

For an additional fee, the car could be equipped with a factory tuning package from the Mercedes-AMG division. Styling for the new Mercedes-Benz M-class includes front and rear spoilers painted in body color and decorated in the characteristic AMG style. Thanks to the spoiler and the vertical polished steel inserts, the front of the car looks wider and lower. Large rounded fog lamps in a chrome-plated frame with a system of active cornering lighting (optional equipment) and increased air intakes give the whole look of the model greater expressiveness.

Four large air intakes, covered with black mesh (as in racing cars), emphasize the dynamic character of the car. The rear bumper is also made in the style of AMG: the rear protective cover, in the design of which vertical lines prevail, has the same design as the front one. Relief cutouts for twin exhaust pipes make the rear of the car visually wider. A special polished steel pad protects the rear spoiler from scratches when loading and unloading luggage.

AMG-package branded 21-inch alloy wheels 8.5 x 19 in size, lacquered in silver and decorated in a classic five-spoke design complement the AMG package. All rims are equipped with low profile tires size 255/50 R 19.

Interior

The interior of the new M-class has been completely redone. In its production has been used a large number of quality materials, pleasant to the touch. The capacity for all passengers was significantly improved: the distance between the front and rear seats increased by 15 mm, the space for the knees widened by 35 mm, and for the elbows by 32 mm ^[2] . At the request of the client, instead of the standard front seats with electric adjustment of the height, backrest position and angle of the cushion, sport seats with special backrest contours could be installed. The rear seat cushions and backs are 63:37 proportions and can be folded down. The cabin has an armrest in front with a double box and rear seat ventilation, as well as an armrest in the back with a box and cup holder. Thresholds of the car are decorated with lining in front and behind (plastic with stainless steel lining), in front - with the words "Mercedes Benz". The lights are installed in the lower part of the cabin in front, the interior lighting in the ceiling unit with infinitely adjustable lighting, the lights for reading in front and behind, and the lights in the trunk. At the request of the client, it was possible to equip the interior with elements of walnut wood trim.

During the 2008 restyling, the car's interior was redesigned. A new steering wheel was installed in the model, the finishing materials were updated (the whole front panel can be covered with leather), the seats were integrated with more powerful lateral support and lumbar support adjustable in four directions ^[4] . It became possible to integrate 8-inch displays into the headrests of the front seats, and the 610-watt Harman Kardon audio system is available on request.

The maximum capacity of the new model is 2050 liters (according to the VDA measurement method), which is 30 liters more than the predecessor.

Electrical equipment

The standard equipment of the car includes electric windows, a combined air filter , a CD player and keyboard entry, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, window and side front airbags , mounts for Isofix child seats in the back seat on the right and left (with three safety loops TopTether : left, right, middle), multifunction steering wheel, instrument cluster with on-board computer, electrically adjustable seats, headlight cleaner, ABS , ESP , electric guide Equal brakes SBC , cruise control with adjustable speed, heated mirrors, seat occupancy sensors, tinted windows, rain sensor, automatic 7-speed gearbox, power steering and central locking with immobilizer.

Automatic climate control THERMATIC with residual use of engine heat, parking sensors with parking sensors, COMAND APS multimedia system with pan-European navigation and DVD support, EASY-PACK luggage accommodation system , rubber mats, interior lighting package, heated front seats are available as additional equipment , heated windscreen washer system and others ^[2] .

During restyling, the basic equipment was expanded with Pre-Safe systems, active head restraints and roof rails ^[4] .

Security

Car security systems included adaptive two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, front side and window airbags, as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters on all seats. In the event of a rear-end collision, optional NECK-PRO active head restraints provided additional protection for the driver and front passenger. Also available to order was a proactive protection system for the driver and passengers PRE-SAFE ^[2] .

Electronic safety systems include traction control ( ABS ), Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Program ( ESP ), whose sensors identify dangerous driving maneuvers, and can be paired with PRE-SAFE ^[2] .

EuroNCAP Tests

In 2008, the car passed the EuroNCAP safety test :

NHTSA Tests

In the fall of 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Mercedes-Benz W164 five stars out of five in the side collision and overturning vehicle tests ^[6] .

IIHS Tests

At the end of 2006, for the first time having included an off-road vehicle ( SUV ) in its assessment program, the US Insurance Institute for Road Safety conducted crash tests for the Mercedes-Benz W164, for which it was awarded the title of the safest car in its class . Safety Pick ) ^[7] . In the course of safety testing, the second-generation Mercedes-Benz M-class car was subjected to a frontal and side collision. Specialists from the United States also assessed the level of protection against neck injuries in the event of an accident behind. The SUV scored the highest marks in all three areas. In addition, for the first time, the presence of an electronic stabilization system to reduce the risk of skidding during cornering and to keep the car on the track under extreme conditions became one of the mandatory criteria for obtaining the “Top Safety Pick” rating. The car W164 was equipped with such a system as standard.

Engines

In the German market at the time of the debut of the second generation M-class cars were available with both petrol and diesel powertrains in configurations V6 and V8. At the time of the premiere of the W164, the debut of a new V6 diesel engine with a Common Rail system, piezoelectric injectors and direct fuel injection took place. The performance of the ML 320 CDI was 165 kW / 224 hp. ^[2] with a maximum torque of 510 Nm at 1600 revolutions per minute. New gasoline engine ML 350 generated 200 kW / 272 hp power and 350 Nm of torque.

For the US market , the models ML 350, ML 550, ML 63 AMG, ML 350 BlueTEC and ML 450 HYBRID were offered, in which the engine from the ML 350 was combined with two electric motors. This version had a reduced fuel consumption of about 20% compared with the ML 350 and a power of 250 kW. Кроме того, гибридная модификация может перемещаться только при помощи электромоторов на расстояние 2,5 км.

Бензиновые

Дизельные

Колёса

В стандартной комплектации автомобиль оснащался легкосплавными колёсными дисками с широкопрофильными шинами размера 235/65 R17 (V6 модели) или 255/55 R18 (V8 модель).

ML63 AMG

Второе поколение внедорожника Mercedes ML в исполнении AMG было представлено в 2006 году на международном автосалоне NAIAS в Детройте . Габариты автомобиля стали ещё больше, что отразилось на снаряженной массе модели — она увеличилась до 2310 кг. Но инженеры компании поработали и над силовым агрегатом. Новый двигатель V8 серии M156 рабочим объёмом в 6208 см ³ обладал мощностью в 510 лошадиных сил и 630 Н·м. Одновременно тягу на обе оси передавал доработанная семиступенчатая автоматическая коробка передач 7G-Tronic с оригинальной программой управления. Скорость разгона с 0 до 100 км/ч уменьшилось до 5 секунд, а максимальная скорость увеличилась до 250 км час (электронное ограничение). Также инженерами подразделения Mercedes-AMG была проведена колоссальная работа по модернизации подвески, что сделало ML 63 AMG приятнее в управлении, ещё более устойчивым и комфортабельным.

С 2006 по 2011 годы компания выпустила более 13 тысяч автомобилей Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG.

Edition 10

В период с конца 2007 и середины 2008 года существовала специальная версия W164 под названием Edition 10 («10-е издание»). Серия, состоящая из 5-и моделей (ML 420 CDI 4MATIC, ML 280 CDI, ML 320 CDI, ML 350, ML 500) ^[3] , посвящена десятой годовщине M-класса. В число отличий от стандартной модели входят: 20-дюймовые легкосплавные диски серебряного цвета, затемнённые корпуса для передней оптики и противотуманных фар, оформление переднего и заднего бампера, а также решётки радиатора под титан, сдвоенные выхлопные трубы квадратной формы, тонированные стёкла, отделка хромом, биксеноновые фары, интерьер с двухцветной (чёрный и бежевый) полной кожаной отделкой, спортивные приборы, педали из нержавеющей стали, шильдики и коврики с указанием особой серии.

Заказы на автомобиль компания начала принимать с осени 2007 года.

Grand Edition

С мая 2010 года до остановки производства в июне 2011 года выпускалась специальная модель Grand Edition ^[8] . Изменения относительно стандартной модели включали светодиодные фары дневного света, 19-дюймовые легкосплавные диски в Y-спицевом дизайне, тонированные теплоизоляционные стёкла, затемнённые фары и задние фонарии, а также решётку радиатора в стиле AMG. Кроме того, данная модель имела защиту алюминиевого днища спереди и сзади. На заказ можно было установить 20-дюймове диски ^[8] .

В интерьере специального издания Mercedes Benz присутствует деревянная отделка из высококачественного тополя и чёрная крыша. В салоне установлена фирменная подсветка, освещающая обивку из искусственной кожи Artico . AMG спортивное рулевое колесо в коже с подрулевыми переключателями, спортивные педали из матовой нержавеющей стали с резиновыми вставками и стальные панели на выходных дверях завершают уникальный вид данной серии ^[8] .

Модельный ряд специального издания включает ML 300 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, ML 350 CDI 4MATIC, ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML 450 CDI 4MATIC, ML 350 4MATIC и ML 500 4MATIC. Стартовая цена на автомобиль составляла 42 100 евро ^[8] .

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• Павел Козловский, Алексей Хвощинский. Mercedes-Benz ML (W164): почти безупречен // Авто-портал ABW.BY. — 2012. — 2 сентября. Архивировано 12 января 2017 года.
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