Mercedes-Benz is giving the 2015 Mercedes ML (or M-Class) a modest facelift and two new engines and here we see the updated test mules of the popular luxury crossover. The headlights and the upper and lower grilles get the updates. The profile and the rear remain mostly the same.
However, there is more news under the hood. Mercedes-Benz is introducing a new 3.0L biturbo V6 as the ML400 and the 2.1L turbo-diesel as the ML250 BlueTEC. Efficiency is the name of the game here. It’s achieved via downsizing the engines. The 3.0L V6 in the ML400 produces 329 hp @ 5,250 rpm and 354 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm, and replaces the current more powerful V8 – known as the ML550. The new twin-turbocharged V6 may not make as much power as the V8, but it’s estimated at 18 MPG city, 22 MPG highway, and 20 MPG combined. The ML400 is rated at a respectable 7,200 lbs of maximum towing.
The ML250 turbo-diesel four cylinder is rated at 200 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and replaces the existing ML350 BlueTEC V6. The current ML350 normally aspirated V6 model will remain as the base M-Class.
2015 Mercedes ML350 will start at $48,300, which is $510 more than the previous 2014 model. The ML400 is priced at $62,900, which is $3,450 more than the departing ML550. However, the ML250 BlueTEC will start at $49,800, and be $1,990 more affordable than the 2014 ML350 BlueTEC. The monstrous ML63 AMG will remain and start at $98,400.
Check out a slightly earlier prototype of the 2015 Mercedes ML in this TFLcar Prototype Hunting video.
Also take a look at this fun and informative TFLcar first drive of ML’s bigger brother – the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been writing and reporting at TFL since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.
