A quiet diesel? Wow. We have come a long way from the old, noisy, burbling diesel trucks and cars from way back in the 20th century. Today’s diesels are quiet, and in the Mercedes-Benz arena, are luxurious and eco-conscious as well. That’s what I discovered when I test drove the new 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI.
Nine years ago, Mercedes-Benz thought outside the box and inspired a new take and marketing approach to the sports-utility niche when it created the M-Class. That move helped spread the appeal of luxury SUVs, and the shift toward upscale sports-utes has been mushrooming ever since.
Once again, Mercedes-Benz is on the cutting edge of outside-the-box thinking when it comes to SUVs and its M-Class. The new 2007 ML320 CDI is a combination of outstanding luxury and performance and ecological consciousness. Inventing a new category of Clean Diesel Luxury, the ML320 CDI employs Bluetec, and is the first in a new generation of high-tech, clean diesel vehicles designed to meet stringent new emission standards.
With low-sulfur diesel fuel consumption that is 20 to 40 percent less than that of a gasoline engine of comparable size, the ML320’s powerplant delivers 30 percent to 50 percent more torque, which translates into similar drivability with superior fuel-efficiency.
The 3.0-liter fuel-injected V-6 turbo diesel powerplant only pumps out 215 horses, but thunders out a whopping 398 lbs.-ft. of torque. That is enough to propel this solidly built 4817-lb. sports-ute from zero to 60mph in 8.2 seconds with superb acceleration at all speeds. The system is EPA rated at 21mpg in city driving and 27mpg on the highway, and my seven days of testing in and around Central Pennsylvania yielded an average of 23.1mpg. While the on-board computer had some accuracy issues – showing more than 450 miles left to empty at one point, and 176 miles left moments later, you do get genuine fuel economy and clean air to boot.
The DaimlerChrysler Bluetec clean diesel engine is the first powerplant offered in the United States that traps particulate soot is in filters, while injecting nitrogen-rich and ammonia-like urea into the exhaust stream to catalyze smog-forming nitrous oxides into inert water and nitrogen. And it IS one quiet diesel.
DaimlerChrysler has base priced this luxury eco-ride at a niche-friendly $43,680, but my test ride, with all the bells and whistles aboard, stickered out at $59,425.
A German car that's assembled in Alabama, the ML320 CDI is luxurious throughout and its standard items make certain drivers and passengers are pampered.
Standard performance items include permanent 4-wheel-drive, rack and pinion power-assisted steering, double-wishbone independent front suspension with gas-charged shocks and stabilizer bar, and four-link rear suspension. Unibody construction and Continental all-Season belted radials 235/65R17s, with 17-inch seven-spoke wheels help enforce a smooth quiet ride.
Standard convenience items include modular control system with AM/FM/WB/CD player, Sirius Satellite radio, hands-free communication, auxiliary input for iPod and MP3 in glove box, dual-zone air conditioning, 3-way power front bucket seats, cruise control, four 12-volt power outlets, hill start-assist, downhill speed regulators, 220-lb.-rated roof rack, traction control system and Homelink that can be programmed for car-to-home device activation.
Safety and security items include ESP stability control, two-stage adaptive air bags for the driver and front passenger, door-mounted side air bags in front and rear, curtain side air bags and adaptive belt tensioners and belt force limiters. A rollover sensor can activate the belt tensioner and curtain air bags if the vehicle senses an imminent rollover. Also standard are reinforced body cage, front knee bolsters, front active head restraints, front and rear crumple zones, 4-channel ABS and off-road mode for ABS, night security illumination, anti-theft system, anti-tow sensor, heated rearview mirrors, rear wiper/washer and close roof remote control. A new-vehicle four-year, 50,000-mile warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance program are also standard.
Where cost escalates is with the option packages that really blast the ML320 into the luxury stratosphere.
Paint, upholstery and trim, with my test ride’s striking Capri Blue exterior with Macadamia leather inside added $700. The 6-disc CD changer was $440. The Premium package including navigational system electronics, sunroof, DVD system and more, added $8600. And I find that the German-engineered electronics are often confusing and convoluted and the toggle push and rotate for the navi system is NOT as user-friendly as a touch-screen system, but it IS learnable, workable and accurate.
Other options include a $5120 leather seating surface package; a $1450 exterior appearance package, a $1360 heating package for the steering wheel and front and rear seats, and a destination and delivery charges of $775.
Large and strong, the 75.2-inch wide, 70.1-inch high ML320 will tow as much as 5000 pounds, and provides a comfortable interior head room of 39.9 inches in front and 39.8 in row two, legroom of 42.2 inches in front and 40.0 behind and spacious shoulder room of 59.8 inches in both rows.
Succinctly, the ML320 CDI is a luxury SUV that drives and rides like a car and pays attention to environmental and oil dependency concerns.
For more information about Bluetec:
www.bluetec.com Visit
www.carlisleevents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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