Mercedes-Benz W164 is First Produced
The Mercedes-Benz W164 M-Class was introduced in 2005.
It is a midsized unibody crossover SUV with seating for 5. The W164 replaced the body-on-frame W163 M-Class for the 2006 model year.
The AMG version of the W164, the ML63 AMG, was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as a limited edition 2007 model. It features a 6.2 L V8 naturally aspirated engine producing 510 hp (375 kW) and 465 ft·lbf (630 N·m) of torque that is handcrafted in Germany. Mercedes-Benz's 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. It rockets from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 4.8 seconds.[citation needed] The MSRP of a 2010 ML63 AMG is $91,050.
It was presented to at the beginning of of 2005 on "Detroit engine show ". The W164 brings in some novelties for the M-class, then the leader director/conductor of the predecessor model was replaced by a rising up body, which increases the comfort, but area fitness costs. Therefore a special Offroadkit (larger spring travels, Unterfahrschutz) is offered, which is to adjust this disadvantage. The predominant number of the vehicles is used anyway exclusively on the road.
The W164 divides the technical basis with the R-class (Mercedes Benz W251) as well as the future Mercedes Benz GL-class.
Up-to-date four engine variants are available, for 2. Quarter 2006 is however a AMG version of the W164 announced, the ML 63 AMG.
The redesigned M-class (chassis name W164) was introduced in April 2005 as a 2006 model after a showing at the North American International Auto Show in January. It was almost entirely new, with a more sporting, aerodynamic look—the coefficient of drag is down to 0.34. Mercedes-Benz has also made the new M-class larger, measuring 150 mm longer than the first model. The M-Class was named "Best New Sport Utility Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.
Mercedes-Benz extensively publicized the US$600 million spent to update its factory and add manufacturing space for the new R-Class. According to early automotive press reports, the 2006 M-Class vehicles demonstrate vast improvements in quality.
The W164 platform used for the new M-Class is shared with the new GL-Class and is a unibody type rather than the former (W163) body-on-frame used by the M-Class vehicles produced from 1998–2005. The X164 GL-CLass, a longer 7-seater version of the W164 platform, is also available.
New features in the 2006 M-Class include the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, optional Active Curve-Illuminating Bi-Xenon headlights which "steer" in the path of the vehicle, and an adjustable-height air suspension. The manual transmission has been dropped.
