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Redesigned reward midsize SUV hits all a right notes
MERCEDES-BENZ
The revised 2012 ML350 BlueTEC looks and drives great, generally for a diesel-powered midsize SUV.
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The new Mercedes-Benz ML350 looked distrinctly out of place in a Eco Center during a 2012 Portland International Auto Show hold in January. The vast upstairs room in a Oregon Convention Center was dedicated to immature vehciles. It was full of tiny variety and all-electric cars. But there was a many incomparable Mercedes-Benz SUV, simply twice a distance of usually about all around it.
But a ML350 wasn?t there by mistake. It was a BlueTEC version, definition that a fuel-efficient tuborcharged diesel engine was nestled underneath a hood. The 3.0-liter V6 is rated by a Environmental Protection Agency during 20 miles per gallon in a city and 27 miles per gallon on a highway. Although that competence not too good for a tiny car, a ML350 BlueTEC comes customary with all-wheel-drive, can lift 5 adults in comfort, and can draw adult to 7,200 pounds ? creation it ideal for a environmentally-minded boat, camper or equine owner. And, by injecting a resolution called AdBlue? into a exhaust, a BlueTEC record reduces smog-causing NOx to submissive nitrogen and H2O vapor.
Yes, there are opposite shades of immature in this world. That?s what a presenters of a automobile uncover ? a Portland Metro New Car Dealers Association ? accepted when they chose to offer a ML350 BlueTEC as an instance of one of a many fuel-efficent vehicles in a field.
And that field, reward midsize SUVs, is removing some-more swarming all a time. Although a ML350 was one of a few SUVs that could chair 5 adults in oppulance when it was initial introduced as partial of a M Line in 1997. But now it competes opposite such identical sized and versed offerings as a Acura MDX, a Audi Q5, a BMW X5, a Lexus RX and a Porsche Cayenne. To stay competitive, Mercedes-Benz redesigned a M Line for 2005 and again for 2012. As a result, currently a ML350 is entirely contemporary, charity appealing styling, high-grade interior materials, and present party and navigation systems.
And, of course, a discretionary diesel engine, that came in a exam vehicle. The bottom engine is a normally-aspirated 3.5-liter gasoline V6. It offers some-more horsepower than a diesel, 302 to 240. But a diesel offers distant some-more torque, an startling 455 foot-pounds compared to a 273 in a gasoline version. That?s what accounts for a BlueTEC conspicuous towing capacity.
But ? and here?s a genuine warn ? a BlueTEC chronicle drives like a gasoline-powered SUV. In a past, diesel engines have been loud and delayed off a line. But a BlueTEC V6 usually rumbles somewhat when cold, pulls smartly divided from a passed stop, and provides copiousness of accessible flitting energy on freeways.
We did not have a possibility to exam a gasoline V6-powered ML350, though think it would usually be marginally faster than a BlueTEC version, if that.
On a road, a ML350 felt secure and solid, aided no doubt by a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. But a altogether construction peculiarity was also impressive, with really tiny outward or breeze sound clear when a windows were up.
Our exam ML350 was also versed with choice reserve systems, including on that warned if vehicles are in a blind spots and another that vibrated a steering circle somewhat if we started flapping out of a lane. At least, that?s what Mercedes-Benz claims a complement was ostensible to do. we found it vibrated a circle on countless occasions, including when we were relocating by unconditional turns though still in a lane. Better protected than sorry, we guess.
Overall, however, a ML350 gathering like a midsize SUV from Mercedes-Benz should. What some-more could any green-thinking owners want?
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Tags: Benz, car, Clean, clean diesel, diesel engine, environmental protection agency, gallon, jim redden, link, liter v6, mercedes benz, mercedes benz ml350, new mercedes, oregon convention center, SUV, test, upstairs room, version, wheel ?
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