The redesigned M-class (chassis name W164) was introduced to the public in April 2005 as a 2006 model after showing at the North American International Auto Show in January. It is almost entirely new, with a more sporting, aerodynamic look—the coefficient of drag is down to 0.34. Mercedes-Benz has also made the new M-class larger, measuring 150 mm longer than the first model. The M-Class was named "Best New Sport Utility Vehicle" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards. The back was commonly referred as a shoebox so DaimlerChrysler spent most of their $600 million dollars on redesigning that part. Mercedes-Benz extensively publicized the US$600 million that was spent to update their factory and add additional manufacturing space for the new R-Class. According to early automotive press reports, the 2006 M-Class vehicles demonstrate vast improvements in build quality. The W164 platform used for the new M-Class is shared with the new GL-Class and is a unibody type rather than the former (W163) body-on-frame used by the M-Class vehicles produced from 1998-2005. The X164 GL-CLass, a longer 7-seater version of the W164 platform, is also available. New features in the 2006 M-Class include the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, optional Active Curve-Illuminating Bi-Xenon headlights which "steer" in the path of the vehicle, and an adjustable-height air suspension. The manual transmission has been dropped. 4-valve engines are replacing the previous 3-valve SOHC V6 <b>...</b>
Mercedes
Benz
E55
E63
AMG
S55
S63
S65
SL55
SL65
M5
M6
RS4
RS6
S6
S8
W12
A8
760i
S4
C63
CL65
SLR
W211
