| 2003MDX |
it is not a Minivan looks alike anymore..
"It is larger and more roomy, more versatile and built more carefully, and it's also more competent on paved roads and offroad." It will be introduced in January 2005 at the Detroit auto show, together with the Grand Sport Tourer (R-Class) and Compact Sport Tourer (B-Class).
The most important changes under the hood are the new four valve gasoline engines. In preparation are three four cylinder models (M271) with 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 liter displacement and three V6 engines (M272) with 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 liter displacement. The AMG Version will be based on the new 32 valve V8 (M273), which should increase the power to 400 hp. (Not all of these new engines will be offered in the M-Class of course.)
M- and R-Class will start production in the spring of 2005 in Vance, Alabama, on the same production line. With two different wheelbases four different chassis models are possible. The M-Class changes more in the direction of a Geländewagen. This is also documented by the fact that the successor of the G-wagen will be produced starting in 2007 on the same underbody, but with additional diff locks, more ground clearance and even shorter gear ratio.
The R-Class (or Grand Sport Tourer) is instead more elegant emphasizing comfort, with all wheel drive and more luxurious equipment. Comparing the AMG versions elucidates the different positioning. Whereas the M63 will have to do with 400 hp, the R63 has 500 hp under the hood. With an advanced braking system, AIRmatic, Presafe II, laser based night vision, and curve light the M- and R-Class fullfill comparably high technical demands as the new S-Class, which is to be introduced as F500 in Tokyo soon, and the final version mid 2005 at the IAA in Frankfurt. "Only with the diesel filter and gasoline direct injection is Mercedes-Benz behind a bit at present, and across all classes." from Autobild
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/w164.html |
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| wmquan |
I just hope that they can keep the price relatively competitive and the quality to at least an average level. The latter has bedeviled the ML since its introduction.
Unfortunately for MB, its model cycles are way too long in today's competitive SUV market. If the projected dates are correct, the current ML would have been on the marketplace for EIGHT YEARS before it is replaced. By the time the new ML comes out, it's entirely possible that the new MDX will be out. |
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| BWSmith201 |
Agreed. It's a much improved design, but it could look far too outdated before it's even available!
It is better than the old M, but I still don't think it's to the level of the 'X, which, I hope, will be redesigned more frequently than the Mercedes seem to be!
They should have redesigned it a while back... the current M-Class doesn't seem competative at all!
If they've improved the overall design as much as they seem to have the looks of it it should be a good car. I just hope they don't keep it the same for another 8 years, for their sake! |
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| wmquan |
Plenty of ironies here. MB defined the "affordable" luxury SUV market segment with the M-class. The M-class was revolutionary when it was first released. But MB gave its lead away with its quality gremlins and competitors (first the Lexus RX300, then the X5 and MDX).
Acura defined the Japanese luxury sedan market with the appropriately named Legend. But Acura gave its lead away to Lexus as well. Acura didn't recover until the last-gen TL and then the MDX. Though Lexus still retains the lead. |
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| DaleB |
| Agreed, better than the 'old' one. But I always thought it looked like a milk truck not a minivan. |
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| Dale MDX |
| "Built more carefully" seems like kind of a slap in the face to the owners of the current generation. It has at times held the distinction of being the most unreliable model sold in the U.S. Mercedes has been on a steep downhill slide on their quality, and their sales seem to be based on reputation from decades ago. |
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| DaleB |
| Let's see, side sculpting like a RAV4, general lines likes a Toureg, exhaust pipes ala MDX, and a front end that is still working on being something. Yup, grabbing at straws! |
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| wmquan |
Here's another alleged spy shot showing more detail.
<img src="http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/8132_image.jpg">
The irony to me is that it looks more like a lot of other SUV's, like the MDX. But aesthetically, a major improvement on the original's homely visage.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/ind...78&article=7247
Actually, this thread should be entitled "2006 M-class". The 2005 will apparently be the current generation. |
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| The X-men |
| In my opinion, it looks alot like a RX330, only time can tell if this ML is a quality product. Unfortunately, unlike Acura, MB do not improve their product line much from year to year, so what you see is pretty much what you will get for the next 8 years. The ML may have the spot light for a little while, that is until the 06 redesign MDX will once again dominate the market. |
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| Warzau |
| Looks like they took cues from Nissan designs. |
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| DaleB |
| Definitely less like the milk truck it spawned from. |
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| iceman1331 |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Let's see, side sculpting like a RAV4, general lines likes a Toureg, exhaust pipes ala MDX, and a front end that is still working on being something. Yup, grabbing at straws!
Its outline is not clean and neat like the X. The look is somewhat complicated and busy, seems a blend of all other SUVs in one car. :rolleyes: |
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| lightglass |
| I had TWO ML's, the first- a '99 that had so many problems, Mercedes helped me get into a 2000. That one had fewer problems, but I felt it was still a crappy American car built around some good engineering. They were #1 and #2 on my list of the most problematic cars I have owned. To their credit, I could not make the ML slip in the snow. Trying the same tricks with the MDX, I have been able to break the wheels free. The MDX has been pretty problem free....with nothing that could not wait until a dealer service. Still, both the ML and MDX are pretty conservative designs-especially the interiors- and I do like the dash design in the new ML. Nothing that will lure me back to having another Mercedes, though. I feel like I was deceived- having been brought up on the superior engineering and solid reliability of Mercedes, and then having so many problems.........:1: |
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| TYP |
Finaly not a tub anymore..
instead, it looks like a big Rav 4.....
Hum.. |
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| Fabvsix |
| First impression: RAV4=YUCK ! Are they targeting women ? It's too girlish......:rolleyes: |
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| yogi799 |
Oh how nice the M-class minivan is finally getting a fresh new minivani look. Sweet.
By the way, what is the def of an SUV vs MINIVAN? Isn't it the angle betweek the hood and the windshield? If it is, then please, get that minival out of this SUV site :D |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by yogi799
Oh how nice the M-class minivan is finally getting a fresh new minivani look. Sweet.
By the way, what is the def of an SUV vs MINIVAN? Isn't it the angle betweek the hood and the windshield? If it is, then please, get that minival out of this SUV site :D
The MDX has minivan parts (shares over 30% of its components with the Honda Odyssey). Some folks think that the MDX looks like a minivan too.
The current M-class has no minivan parts, and just looks like a minivan.
Thus, I don't criticize the M-class for looking like a minivan. It's sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. :D |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
The MDX has minivan parts (shares over 30% of its components with the Honda Odyssey). Some folks think that the MDX looks like a minivan too.
The current M-class has no minivan parts, and just looks like a minivan.
Thus, I don't criticize the M-class for looking like a minivan. It's sort of like the pot calling the kettle black. :D
Kind of twisted logic, but it's fitting. The old one did not make a good looking minivan either. |
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