Nas

Will they put in the new V8 from the S into the ML? Or will the continue with the current V8 engine?

Thanks

binz

yes. 550 is about a year or so away.

PhilS

The 2007's will be ML500, not ML550.

Phil

GregW / Oregon

which has more power and better economy than the current 5.0. It is currently available in the GL.

Germancar1

I can't wait for this quesiton to be answered with cars in the showrooms showing them as 2007s. I can't see MB using the old 5L V8 another year. I think they'll go with an ML450 until the 2008 model year in which I think the new 5.5L V8 will get direct-injection with around 400hp. Otherwise there is no logical reason for MB to use the outdated 5L V8 in the ML and R for another year when every other MB "500" model will become a "550" for 2007. Doesn't make sense. E550, SL550, S550, CL550, and upcoming CLS550 and CLK550. Doesn't jive for the ML to keep the old V8.

M

PhilS

If you don't believe that the 2007 lineup will be: ML350, ML320 CDI, ML500 and ML63 AMG........go to your local dealer. They have the 2007 order guides now and that is exactly what is shown. No ML450 or ML550 are shown.

Phil

Germancar1

I hear what you're saying Phil, but it just doesn't make sense to me. I suspect that a revised order guide will be published soon. I've never known Mercedes to use an old engine for over a year after its replacement has come out. The new V8 in the S550 has been in production since August of 2005 and they're going to wait until sometime in 2007 to use in the ML, nah it can't be. However we'll see. If a 2007 ML shows up at a dealer as a ML500 and not a ML450 or ML550 I'll be stunned beyond all belief.

M

VAHML350

This also makes sense from a marketing stand point. Why put the 550 in the smaller ML, before it goes into the larger GL? I think it would be kind of silly to have the bigger engine in the smaller SUV before it debuts in the larger one. just my $.02

blazinginder

i concur

Germancar1

The problem with that theory is that the new 5.5L V8 is already present in the new GL500 in Europe. Why MBUSA isn't building a GL550 for our market is another good question.

M

ClayJ

It is all a matter of time, gentlemen -- we'll see soon enough....

Nas

I forgot about this thread. Thanks for the responses guys. I do think, the GL's engine will go to the ML before the S's engine is introduced. The GL would get the larger V8 before the ML does. It does suck if they will update the V8's for all cars but the ML.

camillian

When are the 2007 ML's due out?

PhilS

The order guide lists when the various ML models will be released in the USA. They are:
ML350 - July/August
ML320 CDI - Mid October
ML500 - July/August
ML63 AMG - August/September.

Phil

Germancar1

I still don't believe the ML500 will keep the old engine when the rest of the MB lineup gets new V8 engines. That order guide will likely be updated soon I think. Really waiting to see how this one will play out.

Hopefully there will be more news next week at the New York auto show.

M

Germancar1

Any more info on this or is this still the best info around?

M

Germancar1

Looks like you may very well have been right all along. Worldcarfans has an article up listing the ML500 and R500 with the current engine U.S. introduction as 2007 models this summer/fall. Gasp! I can't believe Mercedes would keep this old V8 in two of their newest products, doesn't make sense unless they're going to go direct-injection for 2008 and launch those models early next year as 2008 models. Just my theory as to why they wouldn't make a R550 and ML550 or at least a ML450/R450.

M

rcf8000

Considering the EPA mileage ratings and the claimed acceleration times, and taking into account the weight differences between an ML500 and a GL450, I fail to see where the 450 engine has ANY advantage over the old 500. ML450? Who needs it! Now, an ML550 is another matter entirely.

Germancar1

You have a point, so that still makes me wonder what the hold up is with even a ML550. Someone suggest earlier that they aren't going for a ML550 because they want to upstage the GL450 in power. That could be true.

Mercedes is planning something different for the new V8s when it comes to the R and M, I can feel it. I still say they're going to add direct-injection for 2008 with more hp and less fuel consumption and the revised V8's coming out party will be in the R/M where better fuel econ will make a little more sense - in SUVs. Just my theory. Why else would they create a "550" for everything else from the CLK to the SL and leave out the M/R?

M

carpersn

Germancar1, remember that halfway through the MY03, the ML320 became the ML350, but yet the E320 did not become the E350 until 2005. So your year-long theory, while i agree, doesn't hold up. I also don't understand, except for excess stock, why they wouldn't upgrade everything ASAP. But i also don't understand, given that the R, ML, and GL are all off Alabama assembly lines within acres of each other, why we'll be able to get the diesel in only TWO of them, and not the ONE i want!

Wolfgang

It's even closer as the GL is made on the same line as the European MLs as far as I know.

This is quoted from an MBUSA press release last month:

"Diesels inherently produce high engine torque, delivering four-cylinder
fuel economy with V8 pulling power. Starting this fall, Mercedes-Benz will
offer a new V6 CDI engine in its popular M-Class sport utility vehicle and
in the six-passenger R-Class sport tourer with the launch of the ML320 and
R320 CDI diesels. A diesel version of the all-new seven-passenger GL-Class
will launch in early 2007."

It looks like there will be a ML320 CDI, R320CDI and GL320 CDI.

Germancar1

True I remember that, but this time around its like you said they're all being built at the same plant and the GL already has a new-gen V8 so I don't see what the hold up is. Now they've building vehicles on the same chassis with old and new engines? Maybe there will be a ML/R450/550 sometime next spring, but that seems an awfully long time to wait considering the GL450 is here now...that really would be a year from now.

I keep thinking they're waiting for direct-injection before selling a "550" models ML/GL/R here, just my theory. Otherwise why don't we get the GL500/550 until next year?

M

Wolfgang

I haven't heard of any direct-injection plans for the USA so far...
I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Germancar1

Wolf, why do you think they haven't decided/announced to update the V8s in the R and ML?

M

Wolfgang

Germancar1, my take on this is that on the R and ML already two important new engines debut this year: The 6.3 liter AMG designed and built V8. And the 3.0 liter Mercedes designed and built CDI V6. Just my 0.02 cents...