2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML-Klasse (W164) 550 V8 7AT AWD (388 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The second generation of the Mercedes-Benz ML was launched in 2005 and was a complete approach to the SUV market compared to its predecessor. For starters, it lost the chassis in favor of a unibody structure.

The initial ML was built to tackle off-road courses with the confidence given by its ladder-chassis. But the downward of that system was a high center of gravity and it was heavy. The second generation was built mainly for roads and unpaved surfaces. And it was better in every way.

A new concept meant a different approach for its SUV. The big headlights resemble the ones installed on the S-Class model. The three-slots grille was silver and it had more options than before. The standard 17″ light-alloy wheels were covered by fenders with flared wheel arches. In the rear, the tailgate was not straight up as before. For some markets and engines, the ML featured bi-xenon headlights.

Inside, the comfortable seats offered enough room for five. And, while it lost the chassis, it could host the spare-wheel underneath the trunk-floor. The total volume for it was smaller than before, but it was more than enough. For the driver, the instrument cluster offered round dials and an LCD between the speedometer and the tachometer. On the center console, there were more versions for the infotainment unit, and some were equipped with a navigation system.

The standard and only transmission was a 7-speed automatic gearbox (7G-Tronic). It featured all-wheel-drive traction as standard and, if some needed for off-road use, a transfer box with low-range gear was fitted. For those versions, the center and rear differentials were lockable.