M-Class Design

M-Class Design Specifications

The all-new M-Class is strikingly different from all angles, both outside and inside. The second-generation sport utility vehicle is characterized by an aggressive wedge shape complemented by sweeping front fenders with projector beam headlights, dramatic shoulder lines and a sharply angled windshield. The interior is completely redesigned to provide more comfort and more user-friendly space.

 

Useful Technology Abounds… New and useful technology abounds in the M-Class, including a standard seven-speed automatic transmission, an even more effective full-time four-wheel-drive system and optional features such as height-adjustable AIRMATIC air suspension.

A revised four-wheel traction control system now incorporates functions such as a downhill driving aid and a hill-holder.

 

A Roomier, Sportier Interior… A Roomier, Sportier Interior Inside , a completely new interior is marked by a sport-oriented instrument panel, a multi-function steering wheel and instrument cluster, rich interior materials and significantly improved spaciousness for all five seating positions. By comparison, there’s over two inches of additional front leg room, and rear-passenger knee and leg room have also been increased by 1.4 inches and 1.3-inches respectively.

Continuing the Mercedes-Benz commitment to occupant safety, the M-Class comes standard with two-stage adaptive air bags for the driver and front passenger curtain side air bags as well as belt tensioners and belt force limiters. A rollover sensor can deploy the belt tensioners and the curtain air bags if the vehicle senses an imminent rollover.

 

An Aggressive Wedge Shape… The front-end styling is accentuated by eye-catching projector-beam headlights, comprised of three individual chrome tubes. Optional Bi-Xenon curve-illuminating headlights combined with corner-illuminating front fog lights provide enhanced visibility. These swiveling headlights follow the steering input of the driver to rapidly pivot to the relevant side when the car enters a bend, improving road illumination by up to 90 percent over fixed lights in turns. When the driver activates the turn signal or turns the steering wheel (below 25 mph), the corner illuminating fog lights illuminate areas of the road which would remain dark with conventional lighting systems — areas that could include a pedestrian or cyclist.

 

More Space, More Comfort… While onlookers admire the new M-Class from the outside, passengers will appreciate the significantly improved spaciousness of all five seating positions. In fact, the distance between the front and rear seat is increased by more than 1/2 inch (15 mm) than that of the outgoing model, achieving a level of comfort more often found in luxury sedans. Knee room has been increased by nearly 1 1/2 inches (35 mm) and elbow room by over an inch (32 mm).

 

The World’s First Seven-Speed Automatic on an SUV… The new M-Class comes with the world’s only production seven-speed automatic transmission. When compared to the previous transmission generation, the seven-speed makes the SUV both faster and more economical while providing smooth, barely noticeable gearshifts.

Seven gear ratios provide a wider spread of ratios between first gear and top gear and, at the same time, allow smaller increases in engine speed as the vehicle accelerates through the gears. This gives the electronic control unit more flexibility in terms of maximizing fuel economy and making the transmission’s reaction time extremely fast. Unlike most transmissions, the seven-speed transmission will skip up to three gear ratios if necessary when it downshifts, shifting directly from seventh to fifth, for example, or even sixth to second. This helps the transmission choose the perfect gear ratio for quick acceleration and ensure smooth, almost imperceptible shifts in the process.

 

Where’s the Shifter? One of the most noticeable differences in the interior of the new M-Class is the lack of a shift lever on the center console! Thanks to the latest electronic control technology, a small stalk on the right side of the steering column now serves the purpose.

 

Full-Time Four Wheel Drive… The M-Class uses three conventional “open” differentials in the front, rear and center of its full-time four-wheel-drive powertrain. The center differential allows the front wheels to go faster than the rear when turning, while the front and rear diffs permit the outside wheels to go faster than the inside ones in turns.

 

Four-Wheel Traction Control… The Mercedes-Benz M-Class stands apart from many other four-wheel-drive SUVs by using a four-wheel adaptation of the company’s proven electronic traction control to maintain stability and traction on wet or snowy roads. Sometimes referred to as 4ETS, this system senses wheel slip electronically and brakes the slipping wheels, which transfers torque to those tires with the most grip, on virtually any road surface.

Unlike many conventional four-wheel-drive systems, 4ETS automatically provides mobility even when three wheels lose traction. Maneuverability is enhanced, both on and off-road, and in tight steering situations there is no axle “binding,” which the driver would experience as sluggish steering response and vibration.

Standard equipment on all M-Class vehicles, an Off-Road button on the center console activates the following features:

• ABS: Available at speeds below 20 mph, the on-off cycling of the anti-lock brake system keeps the brakes engaged more of the time, which purposely locks the wheels and digs into loose surfaces to stop more quickly. Braking distances on loose surfaces are noticeably shorter in the Off-Road mode.
• Traction control: Not unlike the off-road ABS mode, slightly more wheel slip improves traction in gravel or sand.
• Automatic transmission: Shift points are raised so that the M-Class stays in the relevant gear longer.
• Engine: The electronic throttle valve opens more slowly when the accelerator pedal is depressed, allowing vehicle speed to be controlled more easily.

SR – Cruise Control for Steep Descents… Downhill Speed Regulation is essentially a low-speed cruise control system for steep descents, which is especially helpful in off-road conditions. Activated by another button on the center console, the driver then uses the cruise control stalk to set the speed anywhere between 4 and 12 mph. The system uses throttle, transmission gearing and automatic braking to help maintain vehicle speed. The descent speed can also be set by using the multi-function steering wheel and a special menu in the central display.

 

Start-Off Assist… This new hill-holder technology helps to keep the M-Class from rolling backward on steep uphill grades. If the slope is steep enough, a special inclination sensor allows the system to hold brake pressure when the driver switches from the brake to the gas pedal. Brake pressure is released automatically when the driver accelerates, helping the vehicle to start up steep grades more safely.  The start-off assist is also active on steep descents, which is often helpful in hilly off-road conditions.

 

Tire Pressure Monitoring… Mercedes-Benz inventions such as ABS anti-lock brakes, ASR traction control ESP stability control and Brake Assist are standard on all Mercedes passenger vehicles, including the new M-Class. However, the sport utility has a new feature that makes clever use of existing wheel speed sensors for ABS and ESP.
Since an under-inflated tire is smaller and rolls slightly faster to keep up with the other three, the system uses wheel speed signals to identify under-inflated tires and alert the driver. In effect, the ESP system not only helps to keep the car safely on course but now also keeps an eye on tire pressure.

 

Much More Information Available… These are just a few of the innovative features built into the M-Class manufactured in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, U.S.A.

For addtional information please visit the Mercedes-Benz Sales Organization's Web site: www.mbusa.com