Mercedes-Benz W 163

Mercedes Benz
M-Class (1997-2001)
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

Concept AAV

M-Class (2001-2005)

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

Special models

W 163 from the film Forgotten World: Jurassic Park

Popemobile

Top model ML 55 AMG (2001-2005)

ML 400 CDI Final Edition

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

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 163  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Euro NCAP crash test

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} M-Class multi-purpose vehicles of the 163 series, 1997 - 2001. Accessed on April 20, 2019 . 
2. ↑ Comfort in all situations: AA Vision. Retrieved April 20, 2019 . 
3. ↑ http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/featuredvehicles/131_9802_1998_4x4_of_the_year_models_mercedes_benz_ml320/