The 2008 Mercedes Benz ML550

Mercedes Benz has provided several upgrades on the M-Class sport utes to create the new ML550.

So what's new? The ML’s V-8 engine for one, has been replaced with a new V-8 5.5 L engine. The ML’s power was boosted up to 382 horsepower (26 percent more) with 391 pound-feet of torque (15 percent more) compared from its predecessor.

The said new powerplant works with a smooth, seven-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift, drive-adaptive shift logic. On higher elevations, the ML550 is driven with the new engine pumping out smooth streams of power and torque.

The Mercedes Benz ML550 also boasts of a full-time four-wheel-drive, three mechanical differentials, stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control. In collaboration with the AIRMATIC air suspension, they all work to keep the ML planted on light 0ff-roading. It also helps the ML550 in sitting on 255/55R-19 tires and wears big 13.9-inch front brakes and 13.0-inch rear vented discs.

The ML550 is large and stylish. It wouldn’t be considered a lightweight though, since it weighs 4819 pounds with a gross weight of approximately 6300 pounds. It holds an EPA mileage figure of 13 mpg in city and 18 mpg on highway.

The 2008 ML550 is said to be competitive enough with the likes of Ford’s Explorer and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee. It has a wheelbase measuring 114.7 inches and an overall length of 188.5 inches. If the rear seats are folded down, the cargo volume is turned 72.4 cubic feet and 29.4 cubic feet with the seats upright.

Considering the design cues from AMG versions of the M-Class, the styling of the ML550 is said to be much more aggressive than the ML500. It is made equipped with a vented, chrome grille with the largest Mercedes Benz logo they could ever put on a vehicle smack-dab in the center. It also wears AMG-styled front and rear bumpers, 19-inch five-spoke AMG wheels, running boards, sunroof, and square exhaust tips at each end of the rear bumper.

The interior is found luxurious, since there is burl walnut wood trim and a multi-function steering wheel and dash display. It also has 80-watt audio system with AM/RM/CD stereo, two deep cupholders, dual rear cupholders, and many others.

As with safety issues, the ML550 is considerably dependable. It has achieved a NHTSA five-star crash rating and a four-star rollover rating. It is even equipped with rollover sensor that can activate the belt tensioner and curtain airbags if the vehicle senses an imminent tumbling, which is mostly likely needed to be avoided.

The base price is held at $53,175, including $775 destination and delivery charges. It will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the production of the first-generation M-Class began in 1997.