Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the M-Class, will be joined by the entry level V6 diesel ML 280 CDI and the range-topping ML 63 AMG in October. The M-Class is leading the sales race in the luxury SUV segment, with year-to-date sales of 1,324 units.

The ML 280 CDI, with a recommended retail price of $77,900, serves up 140 kW of power and a peak torque of 440 Nm. This diesel model burns just 9.4 litres of fuel per 100km (combined cycle), making the M-Class one of the most economical off-roaders in its class.

“The introduction of the ML 280 CDI and the ML 63 AMG will only add to the appeal of the M-Class, which has proven to be very popular with customers wanting a luxury SUV,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director of Mercedes Car Group in Australia.

“The ML 280 CDI, priced from $77,900, is a fantastic value for money proposition for customers who may not have previously been able to consider purchasing an M-Class,” he said.

The new ML 63 AMG, sets a new standard in the sporty off-roader segment. The class leading model goes straight to the top of the competitive line-up with its 375 kW AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine. This new off-roader developed by Mercedes-AMG stands for sportiness and dynamism at the highest level, while its exclusive appointments meet even the most demanding requirements.

With a recommended retail price of $159,900, the ML 63 AMG is a new development by Mercedes-AMG. The AMG 6.3-litre V8-engine generates an output of 375 kW at 6,800 rpm and a maximum torque of 630 Newton metres at 5,200 rpm; this makes the new AMG powerpack the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in regular production.

To coincide with the introduction of these two new models, the offerings of the M-Class range have been streamlined to provide simplification in the options available for customers.

Since over 70 per cent of customers order either an ML 320 CDI or ML 350 with the Luxury package, the company has decided to offer this as a standard feature on both models (which can be deleted if necessary). Features of the standard package include a choice of burr walnut interior wood trim or anthracite poplar wood trim, chrome package, compass, front seats with full electric adjustment, full leather upholstery, extended interior lighting package and storage compartment in centre console. The recommended retail pricing has been amended to reflect the standard inclusion of the luxury package. The ML 350 and ML 320 CDI Luxury models are priced from $87,900 and $90,900 respectively.

Two additional optionally available packages have been provided for the convenience of customers. The COMAND package, which consists of COMAND APS, reversing camera and digital/analogue TV tuner is available for $8,500 (valued individually at $11,450) for the ML 280 CDI, ML 350 and ML 320 CDI. This package is available for $2,900 for the ML 500 (COMAND APS standard on ML 500).

The Comfort package is also a new offering for customers purchasing a ML 280 CDI, ML 350 or a ML 320 CDI. Priced at $4,000 (valued individually at $5,390), this package consists of automatically dimming interior and driver’s side exterior mirror, electrically folding exterior mirrors, glass electric sunroof with lifter and a luggage retaining net.

Additional features now optionally available for the M-Class are: reversing camera; DISTRONIC; luxury front seats; LINGUATRONIC; TV tuner digital/analogue; rear entertainment system; heated seats for the second row; 19-inch AMG light alloy wheels with a 5 spoke design; and 19-inch light alloy wheels with a five spoke design.

Pricing
ML 280 CDI: $77,900
ML 350 Luxury: $87,900
ML 320 CDI Luxury: $90,900
ML 500 Luxury: $116,900
ML 63 AMG: $159,900

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