Featuring The ML 350 4MATIC Technology

Featuring The ML 350 4MATIC Technology

The benchmark of SUV has been raised once more. Mercedes-Benz has released a new SUV class model. The new2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class is the third generation SUV created by the German auto maker. Featuring the ML 350 4MATIC technology, that lowered the fuel consumption to 25 percent from its earlier models. Despite its huge engine of 3.5 liter V6, it only gobbles 6 liters of fuel per 100 km and has a gas emission of only 58g of CO2 per kilometer. The SUV produces about 306 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque with an all-wheel drive arrangement, which makes better traction if you ever venture out of the road. The SUV has a wide-ranging off-road traction control setting, you can choose from automatic for normal driving and two settings for off-road with winter, sports and trailer mode to haul something behind. Power transfer is by seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission that efficiently shift between gears so no power is wasted. The tire plays an additional role in lowering its fuel ingestion with its low rolling resistance. The interior is loaded with gadgets and fine leather. Airbags are also all over the place with an improvement of the body frame, which increased its safety capability, making this one of the safest SUV ever made.

The otherwise renowned Mercedes Benz tuner kinda messed things up a bit. Esthetically speaking at least. The Carlsson Aigner Limited Edition, based on the Mercedes-Benz GL 500, makes its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Salon. The most powerful normally-aspirated GL in the world has a 5,461cc, 48-valve, DOHC V8 motor that puts out 388 horsepower. The tuner's conversion of this engine features a free-flow exhaust system with metal catalytic converters, gas-flowed cylinder-heads, high-lift camshafts and a remapped ECU to boost output to 456 horsepower. Impressive and so far we really like the car. Why wouldn't we like the way this monster leaps from naught to 60 in just 5.9 seconds? The problem is not with the inner parts of the car, but with what Carlsson Aigner used to cover it up. Several coats of hand-rubbed wine-red metallic paint have been applied to just below the window line. Above it, rich black paint. The two colors combine to make the car look unfinished.

Its like the primer was never covered in the lower part of the car. To make matters worse, they added three piece forged alloy wheels, surrounded by a highly polished 23-inch outer rim. Wider wheel arches and new side skirts were added, as was a weird looking new front apron extension. Seen from the front, the car looks like a Mercedes with a surprised look on its face. One with a very big 鈥渘ose鈥? as the first thing that catches your eye is the oversized front grille. What we can't get is why ask 228,500 euros for it? Or rather, who is going to pay that much for it? Sure, the mechanics is probably worth it, but the looks cancel all that out. The CK55 RS Rascasse is the perfect vehicle to be used in the Bronx. All the guys with big gold chains around their necks and guns tucked away in the most unthinkable places really needed a replacement for the outdated 鈥済angsta鈥?Escalade.

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg qualified in fourth and seventh places respectively at the end of an exciting qualifying hour for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. 鈥淭he first qualifying session of the year proved to be as tight a competition as we had all hoped for. I am certainly happy with our performance which is a huge step forward, considering where we were in qualifying here last year. I can only thank the guys for all of the hard work that they have achieved over the winter. I also think it is important to stress that Mercedes-Benz have always believed in and supported this project, and I really hope we can deliver the results we all want. 鈥淲e are happy to see that we have obviously improved the car over the winter. It seems that we can be strong in the race as well from what we learned during practice this weekend.

Unfortunately I didn鈥檛 get the most out of it today. I didn鈥檛 quite find the right set-up as we have a lot of new things on the car and it will take a few races to get it working perfectly. I also made a small mistake on my last lap which cost me some time. 鈥淔rom where we were twelve months ago, I believe we have seen a really good step forward here in Melbourne, and we have a great foundation to build on. We are very pleased with Michael鈥檚 fourth position today, and he did an excellent job. Nico didn鈥檛 get such a clean lap at the end, however he will have a very strong race from seventh place. 鈥淎n encouraging result for us and more was possible today with Michael 0.034s behind P3 and Nico 0.035s behind P5. Michael did a good job whilst Nico locked up a wheel going into turn three which cost him lap time and didn麓t help his left front tyre. The reigning World Champions and clear favourites for this season will be starting behind Michael which shows how surprising Formula One can be.