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• Five cylinder diesel: CDI technology brings fuel consumption down to just 9.3 litres
• Right up-to-date: new equipment for the model year 2000
• V8 range-topper: ML 55 AMG under consideration

With the introduction of the new diesel variant ML 270 CDI with five-cylinder engine and the prospect of the awesome ML 55 AMG V8 model, Mercedes-Benz is poised to extend its portfolio of successful M-Class models in Australia.

At the same time, model year 2000 vehicles, with significantly upgraded appointments and new standard features, have gone on sale.

The M-Class was originally launched in the USA in late 1997 before being premiered in Australia late 1998. So far, Australians have bought more than 2,200 M-class since its local introduction.

Between late 1997 and January 2000 Mercedes-Benz manufactured around 150,000 M-Class models. Now, some 80,000 M-class are built at the company's assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA with a further 30,000 produced in Graz, Austria by partner Steyr Daimler Puch. Mercedes-Benz lands all its Australian M-class product from Alabama (except ML270 CDI which is built in Graz.)

Accolades from German and foreign trade journals, including the awards "Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year", "Best Buy" or "Car of the Year" are very much part of the M-Class success story.

In addition, it has recently been hailed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in the USA which, having carried out a number of different crash tests, found it to be the "safest car" in the sport utility vehicle segment. The M-class also holds the RACV/NRMA Best Recreational 4WD awards.

Firebreathing ML 55 under consideration:

The world's first 4WD muscle-wagon, the ML 55 AMG, a new eight cylinder model, is under consideration for the Australian market.

Roman Fischer, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz in Australia, said discussions with the factory were ongoing and a small number of right hand drive ML 55 had already been produced as evaluation cars. He said he was awaiting final confirmation of right hand drive build schedules from Alabama.

"If we get the green light," said Fischer, "I would expect to have the ML 55 on sale in Australian dealerships before the end of the year."

Bambi Meets Godzilla, Courtesy of AMG

The extraordinary Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR race cars that have captured the past two FIA GT championships were designed, built and fielded by AMG. Mercedes-Benz recently purchased a majority interest in AMG, and will accelerate the introduction of AMG vehicles across other product lines.

With the exception of the ML 55, Mercedes-Benz passenger cars slated for AMG conversion are shipped from one of several factories in Europe to the AMG assembly plant in Affalterbach, Germany. The ML 55, however, which is built in the Mercedes factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, receives the AMG conversion right on the assembly line using AMG-modified engines, driveline and suspension systems. The Mercedes ML 55 vehicle stands head and shoulders over would-be rivals and is the first to define a new premium segment in this vehicle category.

The ML 55 AMG can be easily identified by its muscular physique. Hefty five-spoke, 18-inch wheels and low-profile 285/50 R18 tyres are covered by sleek fender flares.

Clearly visible through the wheels, red brake calipers (for most body colours) not only provide a fitting accent but also identify the specially adapted ML 55 brakes.

Unique rocker panels add to the athletic look. Integrated fog lights are built into the front air dam and a special panel continues the bumper line across the tailgate. Bonnet "power domes" hark back to the legendary Mercedes 300 SL Gullwings and roadsters of the 1950s, and twin chrome exhaust tips also hint at the power underhood.

The heart of the ML 55 is a potent 5.5-litre V8 engine, pumping out 255kW (342hp). The engine is an AMG-modified version of the Mercedes-Benz 5.0-litre V8, which made its debut in the 1999 SL500 roadster. The larger displacement is the result of a special forged-steel "stroker" crankshaft, which increases overall displacement from 4966cc to 5439cc by adding eight mm to each piston's stroke.

The crankshaft is dynamically balanced, and pistons and connecting rods are selected for each engine in equal weight-matched sets. The result is a smooth, low vibration power plant that produces a massive 510 Nm torque.

To feed the larger engine, AMG modifies the original magnesium intake manifold with a wider cross-section to increase airflow. As in the standard Mercedes manifold, the AMG version features long intake passages that spiral around to each cylinder.

Flaps inside the manifold stay closed below about 3700 rpm, forcing intake air to take a long route, building up pressure waves which boost flow and improve low- and mid-range torque.

The AMG-massaged engine retains the twin-sparkplug/three-valve, single-overhead cam design, but replaces the standard camshafts with new modular cams and installs higher-tension valve springs. The hollow construction of the standard camshafts makes them light, yet the AMG cams are even lighter. Valve sizes are the same as the stock V8, but the AMG cams provide longer valve duration for increased power.

Results from acceleration and speed tests speak the same sporty language. The ML 55 AMG is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 6.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 232 km/h. The following table gives the vital statistics at a glance:

Provisional data. *NEDC overall consumption

The Power of a Clydesdale, the Speed of a Cheetah

Harnessing all that horsepower and torque is a full-time four-wheel-drive system providing 50/50 front/rear torque distribution.

One of the most innovative and versatile recreational vehicles on the market, the M-Class 4WD system utilises front, centre and rear "open" differentials that require no driver intervention.

As with all M-Class models, the ML 55 AMG stands apart from most other 4WD's because it does not lock its axles in an attempt to maintain traction on slippery or loose surfaces. Instead, the M-Class employs an advanced electronic full-time four-wheel traction control system. To maintain traction, the system senses slip and applies the brakes on the slipping wheel, which transfers the right amount of torque to those wheels with the most grip, on virtually any road surface.

The M-Class system provides mobility even when three wheels lose traction. A two-speed electronically controlled transfer case gives the M-Class true off-road capability.

Using traction control rather than locking differentials also aids manoeuvrability on any surface. In slippery or loose surface conditions, the benefit of the full-time four-wheel-drive system is obvious. Yet even on dry roads, the system makes its presence known by giving the M-Class models secure, neutral handling characteristics.

The extraordinary, award-winning Electronic Stability Program (ESP), helps drivers maintain directional stability, especially on slippery or gravel roads by preventing oversteer or understeer. ESP can sense impending loss of control - at either end of the car - then momentarily applies the brake on one wheel to restore lateral stability, something that even a skilled driver cannot do.

4WD with Passenger Car Comfort and Safety

The interior of the ML 55 AMG more closely resembles that of a luxury sedan than a go-anywhere, do-anything recreational vehicle and sets a new standard, even for M-Class interior features. Thickly bolstered sport seats are finished in supple leather contrasted by dark burl walnut trim. The armrests and console storage are leather covered, as is a portion of the walnut and leather AMG steering wheel.

The ML 55 instrument cluster features chrome-ringed gauges with white analogue faces. Beneath the elegance lies a cocoon of safety. Mercedes-Benz M-Class vehicles introduced the concept of crash compatibility to the 4WD segment. Unlike most sport utility vehicles, the M-Class frame is also designed so that it will not override a passenger car's body structure in a collision. Such compatibility can lessen the severity of frontal impacts between vehicles of different categories.

Although the M-Class uses a body-on-frame design, the dynamics of its crash protection are roughly equal to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedan, which has unibody construction and is known as the 'Safest Car in the World' - according to independent European tests.

In addition to a front crumple zone, the M-Class incorporates a special structure around the windscreen A-pillars. In a severe collision, this extra crumple zone can actually help dissipate some of the energy around the sides of the vehicle, providing even more protection for the occupants of both the M-Class and a colliding vehicle.

All M-Class models are equipped with advanced four-channel, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags and side impact airbags the front doors as well. The front and rear outboard seatbelts are equipped with both emergency tensioning retractors and belt-force limiters, and this year the second-row centre seat also has a three-point belt.

A Chassis Designed for Safety and Performance

The chassis forming the foundation of all M-Class vehicles sets standards for ML55 performance, comfort and safety. The M-Class has a unit body mounted to a strong separate frame with closed, twist-resistant box-profile sections. The two longitudinal and three transverse frame cross members are welded together for exceptional strength and torsional rigidity. Suspension sub-frames and ten rubber body mounts provide isolation from road shocks and noise.

The M-Class features independent front and rear suspension, unusual in its segment. Many recreational vehicles have only independent front suspension, while some even use solid axles front and rear. Four-wheel independent suspension provides class-leading handling, stability and ride comfort, both on and off-road. The Mercedes M-Class also uses rack-and-pinion power steering, and a tight 11.9m turning circle gives the M-Class exceptional manoeuvrability.

Moving Cargo in Luxury

All M-Class models were developed with passenger comfort, cargo room and versatility in mind.

The ML 55 AMG, as well as the ML 320 and ML 430, feature the largest side doors in their category, along with a low 45 cm step-in height to make getting in and out much easier than most 4WD's.

Its 2820 mm wheelbase is among the longest in its segment, while the rear seat has ample head, leg and shoulder room for three passengers, thanks in part to a relatively flat floor. For added versatility, all M-Class models for 2000 come with a new 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, with a centre armrest.

As with all M-Class models, the ML 55 AMG comes equipped with a generous level of standard equipment: air conditioning with dust and pollen filtration, a high-performance 80-watt Bose audio system, cruise control with speedtronic, adjustable steering column, power windows with express-down in the front, an outside temperature gauge, alloy wheels, pre-wiring for CD changer and phone, roof rails and a retractable cargo cover.

Other standard features include gas-discharge xenon headlamps, power adjustable front sports seats with memory function, power-operated tilt-and-slide sunroof, and side airbags for front and rear passengers.