Mercedes Benz ML350 CDI Due For Launch Tomorrow

This year has witnessed the launch of various utility vehicles and is going to witness some more; the year can be called as ‘Year of the utility vehicles’ in India. A significant happening line-up for Indian car market is the launch of the Mercedes ML350 CDI SUV which is scheduled for tomorrow i.e. 15^th May 2012. Expected to emerge as the arch rival of ever-favorite Audi Q7 and BMW X5 the Mercedes Benz ML 350 2012 is the third generation of ML-Class SUV and after this grand launch the previous version will go off the shelf.

Mercedes Benz India has already put this newfangled SUV on display at its dealership across the country, one such example is from Goa where this Mercedes Benz SUV was spotted. This new Mercedes Benz SUV will flaunt fresh changes in the mechanicals, interiors and exteriors. The insides have been rendered more opulence with a new range of materials that would make the car princelier than before. On the outside the exteriors have been freshened up with new bumper, new front grille, new headlights and new taillights. The taillights have however have been designed very distinctly in comparison to the headlights; overall the car boasts a refreshing and pleasing visual appearance.

The engine specifications of this Mercedes Benz ML350 CDI have been spruced up so that the 3-liter 4-cylinder V6 turbo diesel engine which is used in the original ML350 becomes capable of producing more power than 258 BHP and more torque than 630 Nm. The transmission offered is the 7 speed automatic which is known as the 7G-Tronic in the Mercedes lingo. The standard drive option is the four-wheel drive that supplies the car with enough off-roading capabilities which would aid the car for delivering high level of performance in all kinds of terrains.

Mercedes Benz India has also planned to add some more variants to this SUV in the next one year; however, during launch only the aforementioned engine will be offered. By the end of 2012 when the CKD assembly of Mercedes Benz ML 350 2012 will commence, a cut price variant is expected to be put for introduction which will sport a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine. Till then India will source this SUV through the route of CBUs (Completely Built Units) which would make it as expensive as over Rs. 60 lakh. The ML365 AMG model is also speculated to soon join the utility army of Mercedes Benz as a top end, high performance variant.