No need for dirt. Why should the Mercedes M-class conquer off-road?

When you look at the second-generation M-class from all angles, you realize: this is not just a different car, but a machine of a completely different breed. Nothing remains of the previous ML — even the ladder frame has been replaced by a unibody, although that is far from the most important thing. The black beauty looks solid and aggressive, glistening in the sun, emphasizing the sculpted body lines. The interior doesn't disappoint either — you can feel a sporty vibe. It's pleasing to the eye, they literally dart around with delight, but the hands... The hands are in no hurry to touch the plastic of the dashboard — it's not too pleasant to the touch. The materials are certainly decent, but the texture is a bit rough. Otherwise — no unnecessary details, except for the wooden inserts, which make it feel like you're locked in a wardrobe, but the sporty decor and neat execution are pleasing. But, as they say, not by looks alone.

But what will happen to these muscles and sparkles when it's time to get into the mud? I really hope I won't have to run for a tractor in the nearest village. Especially since I got the Mercedes ML350 not just as an SUV, but as an SUV of a "special series" — with the Offroad Pro off-road package.

This package has plenty of useful stuff. There's reinforced protection for the engine bay and underbody, the ability to lock the center differential and rear axle — both manually and automatically, and a 2-speed transfer case that can be engaged on the move. Next on the list is the Airmatic air suspension, which increases ground clearance from 20 to 29 centimeters, and the front overhang with an approach angle of up to 32 degrees, which will protect the expensive bumper from damage. In short, this entire off-road arsenal looks like real weaponry for conquering off-road terrain.

But wait, what's under the hood? Maybe there's a liter carburetor engine with 27 horsepower hiding there? Fortunately, no — there's a 3.5-liter gasoline V6. There's plenty of power: 272 "horses," torque — 350 Nm in the range from 2.5 to 4 thousand rpm. With such numbers, you can race (on asphalt, of course) up to 225 kilometers per hour and accelerate to "60 mph" in 8.4 seconds. And all this — not without the help of the 7-speed 7G-Tronic gearbox (seven forward gears and two reverse). Why two reverse gears? The second one engages when the car struggles to move backward, for example on slippery surfaces.

The 7G-Tronic gearbox is undoubtedly excellent — adaptive, it adjusts to the driving style. But in practice, things aren't so rosy. This gearbox, designed to save increasingly expensive fuel (I averaged 16–18 liters per 100 kilometers), is a bit sluggish and shifts gears with the thoughtfulness of old man Fura from a well-known TV show. On the other hand, shifts are very smooth, and short gears are compensated by good traction. If you really floor the ML350, the car, as if doing you a favor, thinks a bit and then takes off, dropping a couple of gears.

Manually shifting gears with the paddle shifters is also an interesting task, the main thing is to get used to the algorithm. The gearbox is friendly, like the well-known ghost with a motor, and allows you to drop a couple of gears, engine braking before corners. And on the exit of a turn, you can easily select the desired gear and, continuing to accelerate, speed off into the distance. Those who like to burn rubber and show off will like the ESP system, which allows slight drifts and doesn't cut off attempts at active driving.

But let's return from princes to the mud. So many off-road gadgets — you could sell them, but you don't want to get into the swamp at all. And who among current or future Mercedes M-class owners would take it to churn up clay tracks in rural areas, even with the Offroad Pro package? But I went, especially since it was drizzling — or rather, pouring like a bucket. Of course, it would have been much more interesting to join the off-roaders and ride on a specially prepared track, where on the safest section the car sinks into the mud up to its roof. But... I'm afraid the M-class would look there like Paris Hilton, deciding to play American football in stiletto heels and a ball gown.

And if we're talking about ordinary mud where a car won't pass and a motorcycle will get stuck entirely — everything is great here! The Mercedes ML350 confidently crawls along a washed-out road, churning its 19-inch wheels — though shod in too low-profile tires, which makes it hard to hold the line and you constantly have to struggle in the ruts. The 4-ETS (Four Electronic Traction Support) system actively helps, sometimes managing to tame the spinning wheels quite well.

But in the seat, I feel great. The seating position is comfortable, and although the car isn't the most compact, you don't feel like a truck driver looking down on everyone. But a special series means special privileges. Pay 2.5 thousand euros — and you get front sport seats, heat-insulating blue glass, Alcantara upholstery, and the aforementioned 19-inch wheels. But even without additional packages, the car is very comfortable, exudes luxury, and boasts the excellent ergonomics inherent in all Mercedes. The only downside is that all functions are again gathered on one steering column stalk. Some will say it's convenient, while others, accidentally hitting it, will turn their ML into a sort of transformer robot.

But let's not get distracted: ahead is a small slope, and you can fully enjoy the DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation) function, which allows you to set and maintain the descent speed on an incline or even a very steep surface.

Although, you know, to hell with this mud. Give me smooth — in places — asphalt! And what really pleased me was how the M-class behaves on asphalt. Minimal body roll, eager cornering at any angle, and at the same time — a constant feeling of complete safety. Not only because of the many airbags throughout the cabin, but also because this almost five-meter behemoth handles as easily as a familiar sedan. The suspension also plays a significant role — it's quite stiff, especially in Sport mode, where gears shift more eagerly and hastily, and body roll almost disappears. It's no wonder the engineers lapped the Nürburgring during development and abandoned the frame in favor of a unibody. True, the bodies of the driver and passengers feel every bump and imperfection.

Speed, safety, comfort, and other big words have always followed Mercedes cars. But does this SUV with the three-pointed star really need "muddy" experience? Maybe no one needs it — at least in Russia, where such cars are bought for completely different purposes? On the other hand, the Offroad Pro package costs only 5 thousand euros. Given that in Russia the M-class costs at least 61,800 euros, and the tested "special series" example — all 72 thousand, you can splurge. True, what will you buy with those 5 thousand? Perhaps a "magnificent" BYD Flyer. Although, if you've remembered your mom's advice since childhood not to get into the mud and prefer smooth asphalt, you can keep quiet about the Offroad Pro package at the dealer.

The weather outside has turned nasty — the wind is almost hurricane-force, and the rain is beating harder and harder on the windshield of the Mercedes M-class. And at that moment, I realize how far I am from all this and how, frankly, I don't care. Because I've settled into a café across the street, warming my hands on a cup of tea, and I understand that during the test I even managed to grow a bit attached to the Mercedes M-class, although I usually feel indifferent to this brand. But still, I'd rather admire it from the outside.

Technical specifications

Parameters	€72000
Number of cylinders/configuration	6/V
Displacement, cc	3498
Maximum power, hp at rpm	272/6000
Torque, Nm at rpm	350/2400—5000
Compression ratio	10.7
Acceleration 0—100 km/h, s	8.4
Maximum speed, km/h	225
City fuel consumption, l/100 km	15.2
Highway fuel consumption, l/100 km	9.4
Combined fuel consumption, l/100 km	11.5
Trunk volume, l	from 500 to 2050
Curb weight, kg	2135
Gross weight, kg	2830

Equipment of the tested car

• Interior
  • Front airbags with multi-stage deployment system, side airbags for driver and front passenger, and window airbags for first and second rows
  • Analog clock
  • Front armrest with double box and rear bench ventilation
  • Rear armrest with box and cupholder
  • Boxes instead of ashtrays front and rear (front one with power outlet)
  • Outside temperature indicator
  • ARCADE impact sensors, including rollover sensor, two sensors in the front of the body and two on the sides; when triggered, they unlock doors, turn on interior lights and hazard lights
  • Preparation for CD changer installation
  • Cupholders for front and rear passengers
  • DIRECT SELECT gear selection buttons and gearshift lever on steering column
  • Tachometer
  • Plastic door sill covers with stainless steel elements, front ones with 'Mercedes Benz' inscription
  • Power windows, four pieces
  • Oil and coolant level indicators
  • Rear seat folds in 1/3:2/3 ratio
  • Front lower interior lighting, ceiling unit lighting with smooth brightness adjustment, reading lamps front and rear, trunk lighting
  • Nets on front seat backs
  • Three hooks on rear seat back
  • Four grab handles above doors
  • Lockable glove box
  • ISOFIX child seat anchors on rear row left and right, plus three TopTether loops (left, right, center)
  • Child protection: rear door and window locks
  • Automatic recognition of Mercedes-Benz certified child seat with transponder on front passenger seat
  • THERMATIC climate control
  • Instrument panel with two tubes and multifunction display
  • Head restraints on all seats with manual adjustment
  • Fuel tank capacity 95 liters
  • Six cargo tie-down rings
  • Eight speakers
  • Steering column with manual height and reach adjustment
  • Headlight range adjustment control
  • Multifunction steering wheel with leather trim
  • Net in front passenger footwell
  • Combined upholstery: 'Aspen' fabric plus ARTICO artificial leather
  • Audio 20 system with CD player
  • On-board computer with multifunction display
  • Three-point seat belts front with pretensioners and two-stage force limiters; rear also three-point, with integrated pretensioners and limiters (center seat without pretensioner); mechanism...
  • Sun visors left and right with built-in mirrors and lighting
  • 12V power outlets for front and rear passengers, and in trunk
  • Boxes in trunk and under its floor
  • Front wipers with single wipe mode, rear with auto activation when reversing and interval adjustment
  • First aid kit (left in trunk trim)
  • Partial electric adjustment of front seats (height, tilt, backrest tilt), longitudinal adjustment manual, driver's seat has mechanical lumbar support
  • Windshield washer fluid level indicator
  • Buzzer reminding about unfastened front belts, lights on, and handbrake engaged
  • ASSYST PLUS maintenance reminder system
  • Decorative aluminum inserts
• Exterior
  • Permanent all-wheel drive
  • Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
  • Traction control system (ASR)
  • Door bottom edge lighting, four reflectors, reflector on tailgate
  • Body-colored aspherical side mirrors, heated, power-adjustable, with integrated turn signals
  • On-board tool kit
  • Brake Assist System (BAS)
  • Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) with separate switch and speed adjustment
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Electronic traction control for all-wheel drive, including downhill speed control (4ETS)
  • Automatic low beam activation
  • Horn
  • Seven-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC with gear indicator
  • Front fog lights and rear fog light
  • Decorative trim on lower front and rear bumpers
  • Parametric steering
  • Tire pressure sensor
  • Heated windshield washer nozzles
  • Box in spare wheel well when equipped with TIREFIT sealant
  • Bumpers and moldings painted in body color
  • TEMPOMAT cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC speed limiter
  • TIREFIT tire sealant with electric pump
  • Door handles in body color
  • Door area lighting (LEDs on lower part of side mirrors)
  • Green-tinted heat-insulating glass
  • Warning triangle
  • Electronic immobilizer with IR/radio remote control (certified by AZT and TUV)
  • Central locking with interior lock and impact sensor
• Additional equipment:
  • Leather upholstery
  • Metallic paint
  • PARKTRONIC
  • Rain sensor for wipers
  • Active NECK-PRO head restraints front
  • Engine underbody protection
  • Power-folding mirrors
  • Anti-theft alarm with tow protection and interior motion sensor
  • Power-adjustable front seats
  • THERMATIC climate control
  • Headlight washers
  • Bi-xenon swivel headlights
  • Cornering lights
  • Space-saver spare wheel instead of TIREFIT sealant
  • Roof rails
  • EASY-PACK cargo system
  • Walnut wood trim
  • Rubber floor mats
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated windshield washer system
  • Interior lighting package
  • Interior intrusion alarm
  • Offroad package
    • Offroad Pro package
    • AIRMATIC package
    • Offroad styling package
  • Onroad package
    • Sport package interior/exterior
      • 19" alloy wheels, 5-spoke design
      • Alcantara/ARTICO upholstery
      • Blue heat-insulating glass
      • Sport front seats
    • AIRMATIC package
  • COMMAND system with APS navigation
  • Preparation for mobile phone installation
  • Chrome trim package

Car for test provided by
DaimlerChrysler Automobiles RUS CJSC.

Behind the scenes