BoBcanada

Anyone knows?

GregW / Oregon

It's a guess at this point. The S will get it first in February, 2006. The ML will most likely get it next in the Fall (2007 model), though there is a slim chance it could be delayed until the next year. The 4.6, according to Automobile, will arrive in the S in April next year.

Wolfgang

Since two new engines were already announced for 2006, the ML 63 AMG and the ML 320 CDI Turbodiesel, I'd guess the two new V8s will be introduced lateron, probably in the fall of 2007.

Here's what I found on JESMB. They have good connections to MB insiders!

Wolfgang

BTW, MB should give us another pointer at the Detroit Auto Show in January when the new GL-Class is introduced and whether it will be introduced with the present 302 hp 5.0 liter M113 E50 V8 or the new 382 hp 5.5 liter M273 E55 V8.

My guess is on the M113.

SL%%

Hi, this might answer your question. I found a site http://www.whnet.com/4x4/w164.html and there you can see almost evey possible model of the W164 M-Class. Hope this would help.

GregW / Oregon

That site bleongs to the gentleman that posted before you, Wolfgang!

Wolfgang

Ja, the page looks a bit familiar...

jtc55

hey wolfgang, do you know when the ML63 is going to be in showrooms in US? it says Spring 2006 but i need to know month if possible b/c my wife's X5 will be up in March 2006 and i need new SUV. TIA.

BiTurboV12 AMG

so do you think the ML320 CDI will be out by january? or even early December?

Wolfgang

My guess is second quarter 06 but that's only a guess. With MB these things change frequently....

I'd guess late 2006. And we've been waiting for an M-Class diesel since 2002!

grussell

Are there any updates to this info? Will the 5.5l be available in the 2007 model?

Mercedes Benz #

Heard anything new? The New GL has two new V8's.

jangy

The 5.0 will be used until they run out of them If they sell enough cars with the 5.0, then the 5.5 will be added as an '06 option, if not then we wait until '07. Same goes for the E-Class. I assume the GL will launch with the 5.5, since all of the "prototypes" have it.

Mercedes Benz #

Thanks Jangy.

I'm not really sure how your car labelling system works in the US. The current ML's are 06's and the ones that will come out towards the end of the year will be 07's, meaning the M should have the new engine sometime this year?

I can't see MB waiting until october/september 2007 to stick the new 5.5 in as JES MB suggests.

GregW / Oregon

I don't think it's a matter of running out of 5.0s, since they are pretty much made on demand, but rather, ramping up the pr9oduction on the 5.5.

jangy

Good try Greg, but the thing is the lead time for the parts that go into the motors, etc. Heck, even the AMG motors are NOT made on demand. As any manufacturer knows, producing based on demands and not projections will have you behind every wave. MB has always staggered the release of new bodies and new engines. Just how they market. I don't mean to be a *****, but it actually does have everything to do with when the 5.0 parts run out and not when the 5.5 is ramped up. MB will switch to the "new" engine when the 5.0s happen to "run out" , even if it is during the middle of the model year. Actually, this is how most German cars have been. That's where the half year model (i.e. 2005 1/2) nomenclature came in. It was one way to keep sales strong on the backside of a model launch. Something else to keep in mind is that the 302hp 5.0 will actually be replaced by the 4.5L V8 that will be released in '07. Which engines they choose to place into the ML / R / GL will be marketing driven and not really based on having enough of one or the ability to ramp up another.

Mercedes Benz #

Any Idea when the ML will be available with Lingatronic and Distronic?

jangy

I wouldn't expect them in the next year. they will need to filter down through the S, E, CL, etc. all the way down to our C/ML/R series. I am hoping that they market the new GL with them to separate it from the C/ML/R series, but that does not seem to be the case from what pricing and statements I've read. It seems that the GL will simply be a larger ML, without too much of a price difference. It is not expected to lead the class (versus the other larger SUVs), but rather steal some customers so it will need to be "cheap".
We'll see.

GregW / Oregon

Since the GL is being released with the 4.6 (specs are now on MBUSA: http://www.mbusa.com/models/future/glclass/specs.do ) this Spring, it would seem to make sense the ML will switch to it at the same time, doesn't it? BTW, the specs show it to have 335 hp at 6,000 and 339 lb ft from 2,700-5,000.

Mercedes Benz #

I'd hope so. You would think they would try to keep things as simple as possible at the factor.

jangy

my bad, I said 4.5. Anyhow, I thought we were talking about the 5.5?

GregW / Oregon

Yes, we were talking about the 5.5, but we can be sure the 4.6 will preceed it, so that's why it is of interest. And it looks like a good performance option in its own right.

As far as nomenclature, M-B labels the GL with the 4.6 as a 450, so that is understandably confusing. They've used "60" before (e.g. SL560) so I'm not sure why, other than to separate it more from the GL550.

jangy

I was hoping that the 5.5 would be standard on the GL and optional on the ML, but i think both will share similar features and options, just different configurations (ala R and ML)

GregW / Oregon

The S-Class intro. section lists the 5.5 at 382 hp @ 6,000 rpm and 391 ft lb @ 3,000. Should be a good performer. 0-60 for the 4,465 lb S550 is listed at 5.4 sec.

jangy

Man, i wish the 5.5 was an option on the ML or the GL. It would make the difference on which car i would get. The S is a little more than I wanna pay now, so i will wait on that. But, i still need something to replace the lemonade of an ML500 that I got.