Mercedes-Benz W 163
Mercedes Benz | |
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M-Class (1997-2001)
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W 163 | |
Sales designation: | M-class |
Production period: | 1997-2005 |
Class : | SUV |
Body versions : | Station wagon |
Engines: |
Otto engines : 2.3–5.4 liters (110–255 kW) Diesel engines : 2.7–4.0 liters (120–184 kW) |
Length: | 4638 mm |
Width: | 1840-1895 mm |
Height: | 1804-1820 mm |
Wheelbase : | 2820 mm |
Empty weight : | 2120-2230 kg |
successor | Mercedes-Benz W 164 |
The Mercedes W 163 was presented for the first time under the name M-Class at the North American International Auto Show 1997 in Detroit and was sold from September 1997 in the USA and Canada and from March 1998 on the European market. He was thus one of the founders of the sport utility vehicle class . Although the model is called “M-Class”, the vehicles were sold under the designation “ML XXX” (for example ML 270 CDI). This is to avoid any confusion with the so-called BMW M models .
The W 163 was built until 2005. The successor model ( W 164 ) was presented at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show.
AA vision concept
In January 1996, Mercedes showed the concept study of an All Activity Vehicle under the name AA Vision at the North American International Auto Show , according to Daimler a sport utility vehicle with great driving comfort for discerning customers .
Technical features
- Electronically controlled all-wheel drive (series introduction in 1997 under the name 4ETS in the M-Class)
- Variable interior design
- Two sun roofs
- navigation system
- Car phone with speakerphone
Explanations
The front has inclined headlights. The body is functional, for example the short overhangs at the front and rear allow steep slope angles in the field. The streamlined shape helps to lower fuel consumption and reduce wind noise. The body sits on a frame.
The AAV or the ML class is geared towards leisure activities. A roof rack system takes bicycles, surfboards or snowboards. The rear bumper contains a retractable tow bar. The concept car's tailgate carries the Bose spare wheel and speakers that can be rotated to listen to music outside the car.
The interior is variable and offers storage space for further equipment and luggage. The study is equipped with two sunroofs, a navigation system and a car phone. The phone is operated using the steering wheel buttons, the microphone for the hands-free system is located in the sun visor.
In addition to two front airbags, the AA Vision has two side airbags, an anti-lock braking system and an electronic stability program ESP ; the ML-Class was thus the first SUV to have an ESP.
The permanent all-wheel drive is new ; it is based on the so-called 4MATIC from Mercedes and is controlled by electronics that detect a lack of grip on one wheel and thus distribute the torque to the other wheels. This all-wheel drive system allows good off-road mobility for light and moderate off-road applications, but is critical to handle for full off-road use.
The AA Vision has independent suspension all around.
production
Like its successor, the W 163 was built at the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa in Vance in Tuscaloosa County , Alabama , USA . The engagement in Alabama goes back to the time before Chrysler's merger with Mercedes-Benz. At the beginning of production, the vehicles built in the Tuscaloosa plant suffered from quality deficiencies that had been unfamiliar to Mercedes until then. A small facelift was carried out in 1998. Due to the high demand for the model and the quality deficiencies in the start of series production, a relatively small number of the vehicles were also manufactured in Graz (Austria) at Steyr-Puch . These vehicles were not flawless either, but the quality was significantly better than their American counterparts. Only after the model update for the model year 01.2002 could the vehicles from America catch up with those produced in Austria.
Facelift
For the 2002 model year, the M-Class underwent a comprehensive facelift. Because of the considerable criticism in relation to the initially inferior quality of the W163 since its introduction in 1997, this has also been significantly improved since the facelift.
With the facelift, more than 1100 components were replaced; these were among others:
- Clear-glass headlights with projection headlights
- As with other Mercedes models, the side indicators were integrated from the fenders into the exterior mirrors. The exterior mirror indicators were designed in a clear glass look
- new rear lights in brilliant optics
- new front apron with clear glass fog lights
- new rear apron and new side skirts
- Bumper strips painted in body color
- new alloy wheels (instead of 16 "now 17")
- larger braking system
- Voting of the 4ETS changed
- new tuning of the chassis
- Tailgate and radiator grille with chrome strip on the ML 400 CDI and ML 500 as well as on the Inspiration and Final Edition
- Engine range:
- ML 270 CDI with 120 kW (163 PS) and 370 Nm (manual transmission) or 400 Nm (automatic)
- ML 350 with 173 kW (235 PS) and 348 Nm (displacement 3724 cm³), available from July 2002, previously ML 320
- ML 400 CDI with 184 kW (250 PS) and 560 Nm
- ML 500 with 215 kW (292 PS) and 440 Nm
- Enhancement of the interior through Thermatik (automatic air conditioning) and optical retouching with better material appearance
Technical specifications
ML 230 | ML 320 | ML 350 | ML 430 | ML 500 | ML 55 AMG | ML 270 CDI | ML 400 CDI | ||
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Type | Gasoline engine | Common Rail - Diesel engine | |||||||
engine | R4 M111 | V6 M112 | V8 M113 | R5 Turbo OM612 | V8 Turbo OM628 | ||||
Displacement | 2295 cc | 3199 cc | 3724 cc | 4266 cc | 4966 cc | 5439 cc | 2685 cc | 3996 cc | |
Power in kW (PS) | 110 kW (150 PS) at 5400 rpm | 160 kW (218 hp) at 5700 rpm | 173 kW (235 hp) at 5750 rpm | 180 kW (245 PS) at 5750 rpm (not available in D) | 200 kW (272 hp) at 5750 rpm | 215 kW (292 hp) at 5600 rpm | 255 kW (347 hp) at 5500 rpm | 120 kW (163 hp) at 4200 rpm | 184 kW (250 PS) at 4000 rpm |
Max. Torque | 220 Nm at 3800 rpm | 310 Nm at 3000-4600 rpm | 345 Nm at 3000-4500 rpm | 350 Nm at 3500-4800 rpm | 390 Nm at 3000-4400 rpm | 440 Nm at 2700-4250 rpm | 510 Nm at 2800-4500 rpm | 370 Nm at 1600–2800 rpm (400 Nm at 1800–2600 rpm) |
560 Nm at 1800-2600 rpm |
drive | all wheel drive | ||||||||
Top speed | 177 km / h | 195 km / h *** | 205 km / h | 205 km / h | 210 km / h *** | 222 km / h *** | 235 km / h | 185 km / h (183 km / h) |
213 km / h |
Acceleration, 0-100 km / h |
12.3 s | 9.5 s | 9.1 s | 8.7 s | 8.4 s | 7.7 s | 6.7 s | 11.7 s (11.6 s) | 8.1 s |
Consumption (EEC) | 12.7 l | 13.8 l | 12.7 l | 12.7 l | 13.9 l | 14.6 l | 14.8 l | 9.4 L (9.5 L) | 10.9 l |
construction time | 1997-2000 | 1997-2005 | 2003-2005 | 2002-2003 | 1999-2001 | 2001-2005 | 2000-2005 | 1997-2005 | 2001-2005 |
* Values for the 270 CDI in brackets for automatic transmission
*** Is limited at 180 km / h (US version)
Special models
The special models are marked with their name at the beginning of the side protection strip, similar to the Classic / Elegance / Avantgarde models of sedans.
inspiration
At the end of 2002 the limited special model Inspiration was sold, which was mainly distinguished by its exclusive optics.
- 17-inch wide tires
- Selectable lacquers: brilliant silver, obsidian black, black, tanzanite blue or travertine beige
- Front grill and ventilation grille painted silver (similar to AMG model)
- Sports seats in front (from AMG model)
- Anthracite leather with light gray decorative stitching
- extended leather interior
- Instrument cluster with chrome rings and white pointers
- Velor floor mats with the Inspiration logo
- Decorative parts in poplar black (Designo)
- Decorative strips with the Inspiration logo
Final Edition
In the last year of production of the M-Class, Mercedes added a new special equipment package. The equipment of the M-Class Final Edition includes:
- darkened rear lights
- silver painted grille with chrome inlays
- two power domes on the hood (like AMG model)
- new light alloy wheels in five-spoke design
- Aluminum roof rails
- Door handles with chrome insert
- Tailgate with chrome strip
- Bullbars with "Final Edition" lettering
- Optional styling bracket painted in body color
- Paint finish in cubanite silver metallic on request
- additional chrome applications and more leather in the interior
- The instrument cluster has chrome rings with white pointers
- Sports seats in leather with Alcantara
- Wood applications in birch with light grain
- Velor floor mats with the "Final Edition" logo
- Seat heating
- Leather interior
Others
The first major public appearance was in Steven Spielberg's adventure film Jurassic Park II ; Mercedes used this product placement to advertise and introduce the new Mercedes M-Class.
The Papamobil ( Pope's car ) was based on the facelift model of the W 163 and was in operation from 2002 to the end of 2012 when it was replaced by the new M-Class.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b M-Class multi-purpose vehicles of the 163 series, 1997 - 2001. Accessed on April 20, 2019 .
- ↑ Comfort in all situations: AA Vision. Retrieved April 20, 2019 .
- ↑ http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/featuredvehicles/131_9802_1998_4x4_of_the_year_models_mercedes_benz_ml320/
Vehicle class | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s | ||||||||||||||||
6th | 7th | 8th | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4th | 5 | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4th | |
Compact class | W 15 (type 170) | ||||||||||||||||||
W 23 (type 130) | |||||||||||||||||||
W 30 (type 150) | |||||||||||||||||||
W 28 (type 170 H) | |||||||||||||||||||
Middle class | W 02 (type Stuttgart 200) | W 136 / W 149 (types 170 V / 200 V) | |||||||||||||||||
W 11 (type Stuttgart 260) | W 143 (type 230 n) | ||||||||||||||||||
W 21 (type 200/230) | W 153 (type 230) | ||||||||||||||||||
W 138 (type 260 D) | |||||||||||||||||||
upper middle class | W 03 / W 04 / W 05 (types 300/320/350) | W 18 (type 290) | |||||||||||||||||
W 10 / W 19 (types 350/370/380) | W 142 (type 320) | ||||||||||||||||||
W 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
Upper class | Type 400 & Type 630 | W 24 / W 29 / W 129 (types 500 K / 540 K / 580 K) | |||||||||||||||||
W 08 (type Nürburg 460/460 K / 500 / type 500 N) | |||||||||||||||||||
W 07 / W 150 (types 770/770 K) | |||||||||||||||||||
Sports car | Model K | ||||||||||||||||||
W 06 (type S / SS / SSK / SSKL) | W 24 / W 29 / W 129 | ||||||||||||||||||
Off-road vehicle | W 103 (type G1) | W 31 (type G4) | |||||||||||||||||
W 133 III (type 170 VG) / W 139 (type 170 VL) / W 152 (type G5) | |||||||||||||||||||
Vans | L 3/4 | L 1000 Express | L 301 | ||||||||||||||||
L 300 |