It seems that that Mercedes-Benz could have a Bluetec diesel-electric hybrid variant of ithe M-Class on sale in the UK within the next two years. Sooner then anyone expected. The system would probably leverage the automaker’s 3.2L six-cylinder Bluetec engine in conjunction with the 2-Mode hybrid system developed jointly with BMW and GM.
Fuel economy is expected to be around 40 mpg (we’re assuming this measurement is in the UK’s larger Imperial gallon) and CO2 emissions would likely be under 200g/km. That would help cancel out some of the anti-SUV sentiment toward such a vehicle in UK and European markets.
Brabus has finally taken the wraps off of a special M-Class that goes one step beyond the comparatively staid models that is offered by Mercedes-Benz. Though based on the range-topping ML63, all that you see on what Brabus calls the Widestar Concept is available for any model in the range. The transformation begins with new body kit pieces that add a healthy does of aggression to the M-Class, but don’t go overboard with cartoonish proportions.
Mercedes-Benz is planning its statement in response to the BMW X3. Running under the working title MLK-Class, the new smaller-than-M-Class (ML500, et al.) sport/utility will be created on Mercedes’s next-generation C-Class beginning in the 2007 calendar year. Like the MLK, the next-generation midsize M-Class will be on a unibody platform.