superset

Here is some 2015 Mercedes-Benz SUV info I just picked up:

GLA-Class
Dealer Ordering Info expected in April
Managed by the same team as the CLA-Class so expect similarities

GLK-Class
Model Year 2015 is the last year for the current body style
10% of all GLK-Class sales in the US are the diesel variant

M-Class
ML250 bluetec replaces the ML350 bluetec in August
ML400 replaces the ML550 in August – Last Chance for the big V8!
ML400 is a bi-turbo V6 with great power and great fuel economy. Long list of standard features.
15% of all M-Class sales in the US are the diesel variant

GL-Class
GL450 gets the bi-turbo V6 to replace the current V8
21% of all GL-Class sales in the US are the diesel variant

G-Class
Jade Green added
G63 outsold the G550 55% to 45% in 2013

http://www.benzblogger.com/2014/03/2...v-updates.html

DUTCH

Wow. Estupido!! Towing capacity is cut in half. They sure have their heads in a place where the sun doesn't shine on that one.

gplank

Yeah, there has to be something we're missing. They have to give buyers a reasonable alternative to their direct competition in the BMW X5 xDrive35d.

I'm guessing that are secretly planning to beat BMW to the punch with a hybrid ML, using the same engine setup as the new E400H

see: http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/contac...-E/model-E400H

hos

Would updates like these be Global? And if so, would that reduce the price of the ML350?

shortspark

There is no mention of the most popular model (at least in US), the non AMG ML350 gas version, so I assume it will remain unchanged with the current V6

gplank

I would agree, since you'd think they'd not want to mess with their biggest seller. But with the ML400, they'll have two V6s that sound like they might be close together in performance. So, I have to wonder.

One thing for sure, it seems MB has painted themselves into a corner by naming their vehicles after their engine displacement, so that now with the ML400 replacing the ML550, it sounds like a downgrade for those loyal to the topline ML. BMW wasn't so dumb with their naming convention.

But if the W166 ML550 is the last of the non-AMG ML V8s, I wonder if that raises the resale value of my MY13 ML550. It's now a collectors item!

shortspark

Yes, yours is a collector item for sure! So is the CLS. When time comes to trade my 2012 ML350 (in a year or two), I was thinking of getting the CLS550 sedan. However, this is the last year for that beautiful car with the roaring bi-turbo V8. In fact, it is the last CLS period. It looks like it will make way for the much more expensive S class sedan coming out later in the year. Well, that is neither here nor there but it goes to confirm what you said and what happens when overlap occurs. Now we will have a huge gap between sedans with nothing to bridge the E class and S class. Man that CLS was a sharp car!

Strafzettel

My c350 lease is up in Jan 2015 and I was going to get the ML350 bluetec after that. With the customer loyalty program they might let me out earlier but if they stop producing the ML 350 bluetec in August, that will be difficult. Plus I was going to order a custom one.

fabbrisd1

On the C350 - Mercedes Financial will do at least 3 months pull ahead credit - then your dealer might step in and pull up the rest of the slack - production will be "tight" for model-year-end June - so plan ahead with your dealer...

Strafzettel

I went to the dealer yesterday and he said that he would put in an order in June or July because it's too early now. He hadn't heard about that engine change and he couldn't see it in his computer system. I wonder if its for sure that they'll stop selling the 350btc in the US.

gplank

I think this newly released brochure for the Australian market is telling of what is in store for the U.S. market in 2014. The 350 BlueTEC is still being offered alongside the new 250....and this makes total sense from a marketing/consumer choice point of view.

http://www.mercedes-benz.com.au/cont...ns_02-2014.pdf

I bet that the main reason they killed off the ML550 is that they simply were not selling enough of them because its such a gas-hog. The ML400 will broaden the market appeal.

However, my big wish is that they'd offer a less expensive AMG version of the ML. Not sure how they justify the ML63's $25K premium to the ML550.

bud.jones

I wouldn't think so, at least from this graphic taken from the linked site. The M Class starts at over $50,000, an increase of $2,500.

gplank

It's just about this time of year that we see documents appearing that arae produced by MBUSA about the new model year, like dealer ordering guides for 2015, etc.

Does anyone have these to share?

ashwats

Is there any exterior change for 2015? Also car play might be available?

PureNick

I was at the dealer the other day and they have the ML ordering guide available for 2015 INCLUDING the new GLA ordering guide.

From what I can see, the interior that we're seeing spy shots of may be for a 2016 model because the photos of everything for 2015 look exactly the same.

audi40

Those are Australian $ in the linked site...A$50,000 = $47,000 USD

hos

I don't think they are AU$, here is the link for Australian pricing.

http://www.driveaway.mercedes-benz.c...ML-250-BlueTEC

27T

From what I've heard the update with regards to aesthetics will happen in 2015 for MY2016.

xMB007x

It would make more sense to have the update for MY16 so they can do the GL at the same time.

sheepdog

Has anyone been able to find out more finite information as to 2015 ML350 changes other than the ones in the previous downloaded Dealer Ordering Guide? Is the interior going to have the enlarged "tablet" screen? Would pick up a 2014 if the 2015's aren't going to have significant changes.

Any help would be appreciated.

xMB007x

No.


Only engine and option packaging changes are for 2015. 2016 is the refresh.

GregGebhardt

Agreed. One of the main selling points for me on my ML350BT was it ability to not just tow my boat but tow it with ease. I am not so sure the ML250 would be able to do that.

Blame this all on the EPA/CAFE standards

icerabbit

I actually did not realize that you can't get a new benz any more with front fog lights?!

What are they thinking? Pure cost cutting? Only need them maybe 30 times a year in certain parts of the country. Or pony $1500 for advanced lighting? Which supposedly will automatically dip the beams but still doesn't have true fog lights low to the ground? Or pay extra for off road and airmatic and the lights will swivel outward plus leave the corner lamps on in off road mode.

I just looked at some '14s. Still no front window defrost wires in the ML nor GL either. Number one gripe with my ML during true winter driving is all the snow & ice buildup on the windshield and wipers.

Completely unsafe. Dealers get complaints about it and have experienced it themselves, but MB USA takes no action. I guess it is more about prettying and chroming stuff.

I'd rather they give a winter package along the lines of heated seats, front fog lights, front defrost wire, remote starter, heated washer fluid, ...

Owlet

Heated washer fluid is available as a special order option.

27T

How do BMW and Audi implement the front defrost wire?