Dazzling new Mercedes-Benz M-Class enthralls Kuwait

The vehicle was presented to members of the press and media during the press conference held at the Albisher & Alkazemi showroom in Shuwaikh. The press conference was attended by senior management from Albisher & Alkazemi Co. and DaimlerChrysler Middle East officials.

"Mercedes-Benz sowed the seeds of a new segment seven years ago with the introduction of the original M-Class," said Paul W. Schmidt, General Manager during his speech at the press conference."With its cultivated performance, the second generation vehicle which had it Middle East premiere at the Bahrain Grand Prix, is a quantum leap forward."

With its beguiling blend of strongly contoured surfaces and taut lines, the design of the new M-Class is a majestic masterpiece of design. The swept back windscreen, striking front wings and rising shoulderline set an unashamedly sporting tone, a theme developed by the proportion of the car which is 150 mm longer (now 4780 mm), 71 mm wider (now 1911 mm) and 5 mm lower (now 1815 mm with roof rails) than its predecessor. The wheelbase has also grown by 95 mm to 2915 mm.

The engine range for the new M-Class is headed by the proven eight-cylinder unit at the heart of the ML 500, which now delivers 306 hp. A new arrival under the bonnet is the V6 petrol unit powering the ML 350. It's an invitation to 272 hp and maximum torque of 350 Newton metres. An AMG version will arrive in 2006.

The globally unique seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC can be operated electronically using a selector level positioned close to the steering wheel, technology which Mercedes-Benz has christened DIRECT SELECT. Additional steering-wheel gearshift buttons enable the driver to easily glide manually through the seven gears.

In standard form the new M-Class comes with permanent four-wheel drive and 4ETS traction systems. Mercedes-Benz has taken these to the next level by incorporating additional functions such as a downhill driving aid, Start-off Assist and the off-road ABS system.

An optional off-road package, only available through Mercedes-Benz general distributors, allows the M-Class to master even the toughest routes across rough terrain.

The Mercedes-Benz M-Class also sets the pace for other off-roaders to follow in terms of safety. Its occupant protection system is underpinned by a self-supporting body structure with large deformation zones in the front and rear ends and a wealth of top-class state-of-the-art technology fitted as standard.

In the event of a rear-end collision, the newly developed Neck-Pro crash responsive optional head restraints provide additional protection for the driverand front passengers.

With the option of adding the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® to the mix, the new Mercedes Off-Roader raises the bar in its class. This multi-award-winning technology provides a reflex response to critical driving situations where an accident threatens to occur, preparing the car and occupants for a collision.

It is by forming an unparalleled synergy of active and passive safety that PRE-SAFE® can prepare car and occupants for a possible impact. The system is based on a link-up with the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Brake Assist and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), whose sensors identify dangerous driving manoeuvres. PRE-SAFE® uses the data from these sensors to optimise occupant protection before a collision.

Part of the standard specification for the Off-Roader is a new type of paint finish employing nano-technology. Offering significantly improved scratch resistance compared to conventional non-metallic or metallic paint finishes, nano-particle clearcoat provides a noticeably enhanced sheen.

The interior of the new M-Class also exhibits typical Mercedes quality, thanks to higher-quality materials, more pleasant touch and feel characteristics and significantly improved spaciousness for passengers.

For example, at 880 mm, the distance between the front and rear seats is 15 mm greater than that in the outgoing model, achieving a level more familiar in a luxury-class saloon. Knee-room for the rear passengers has been increased by 35 mm and elbow width by 32 mm.

M-Class customers can select the seats for their new Off-Roader to suit their personal comfort requirements. In addition to the standard-fitted front seats with electrically adjustable height, backrest and cushion angle, sports seats with specially contoured backrests can also be specified.

State-of-the-art support systems familiar from the luxury-class Mercedes models help to relieve driver stress, enhance comfort and further improve safety.

The M Class is optionally available with the newly developed multi-zone THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system, the PARKTRONIC parking aid and the COMAND APS control and display system with pan-European DVD navigation. Bi-xenon headlamps with the Active Light System and cornering light function (optional) enhance driving safety during the hours of darkness.

The new M-Class will also be available with distinctive AMG bodystyling and other performance improvement options. AMG bodystyling for the new M-Class consists of front and rear aprons, painted entirely in body colour. At the front, the new front apron, with its distinctive edges and vertical insets in brushed stainless steel makes the new M-Class appear even broader and more low-slung. Large, circular fog lamps, ringed in chrome, with the cornering light function as an option, lend the design an extraordinarily striking note.

Four air intakes, featuring black mesh grilles more familiar on motor racing vehicles, underline the dynamic nature of AMG bodystyling. The expressive design of the underride guard, with its vertical contours, also emphasises the muscular character of the off-roader. This style is continued through to the AMG rear apron, where the design of the underride guard is the same as at the front. The distinctive curves to accommodate the tailpipes of the twin-pipe exhaust system. A rear sill guard in brushed stainless steel prevents the rear apron from being scratched when luggage is loaded.