drivetime
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE December 23-29, 2009 Page B-2
OVERVIEW
Class with great interior appointments, comfort and
Benz’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. From the out-
side, the only noticeable difference is a modified hood
Pulling off a hybrid now seems to be pretty run of designed to package the technology and the BlueEF-
the mill. Practically every car company either has one FICIENCY logo on the fender and the HYBRID badge
Ram Heavy Duty
in their line-up or one in development. But developing on the tailgate. They’re noticeable details, but don’t
From page C-1
a hybrid system that fits a nameplate like Mercedes- scream “HYBRID” if you prefer a more subtler touch.
Benz with the
wheel; automatic temperature Powertrain choices include
Inside, the ML450 HYBRID features some subtle
Pricing starts at $28,165
brand’s long his-
control; two-tone upholstery; the legendary 6.7-liter Cum-
for a 2500 4X2 Reg Cab ST
tory of luxury and
Mercedes-Benz
displays on the command system where the driver can
memory seats, radio and mir- mins Turbo Diesel engine,
with an eight-foot box to up to
performance is a ML450 HYBRID
opt to see the energy flow between the battery, com-
bustion engine and electric motors.
rors; and navigation. which produces 350 horse-
$51,595 for a 3500 4X4 Mega
different story.
It also features adjustable
power and 650 lb.-ft. of torque.
Cab Laramie with 6-foot-4-
That’s what
DRIVER: Marcus Amick
During parking and low-speed operation, the
ML450 HYBRID runs on the electric drive only. The
pedals and numerous infotain-
The Dodge Heavy Duty comes
inch box, which was my road
makes the 2010
ment options including Sirius
standard with the 5.7-liter
test vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz
StIckER: $55,000 (base) ML450 HYBRID can drive solely on electric power up
to a maximum speed of 34 mph.
TV for the backseat, Uconnect
HEMI V-8, which delivers 383
ML450 HYBRID
MPG: 21 city/24 hwy
Multimedia with a 30-gigabyte
horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of
HIGHLIGHTS
so special as an
The electric motors are powered by a liquid-cooled,
hard drive and an available
torque. $51,595 (as tested)
example of the au-
288-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery that’s enclosed
first-in-segment 10-speaker
Towing capacity has been
Optional 6.7-Liter Cummings
tomaker’s Full Hybrid technology. You don’t lose any
under the rear cargo floor. Looking for a little bit more
surround-sound system.
increased by 1,000 pounds on
Diesel
of the qualities that have come to define Benz over the
performance? The ML 450HYBRID also has a sport
Right, sounds like the type
some Heavy Duty models and
years for the sake of “going green” and saving cash
mode.
Available Laramie Model
of features you’d expect in a
we got a feel for the truck’s
at the pump. Although, chances are, if you’re in the
What’s to Like? Settling in behind the wheel, hit-
market for a ML450 saving money probably isn’t an
luxury sedan more so than a
power when towing a mas-
Sirius TV
ting the gas and not feeling like you’re still driving a
issue or at least it shouldn’t be.
truck.
sive tractor as part of our test
More towing capability
Benz.
Space and lots of it is a
drive. Special features like an Most who’d opt for the ML450 HYBRID are likely
What’s Not to Like? It’s only available as a special
major element of the Heavy
integrated trailer brake makes
Marcus Amick is a national
to be more concerned about the idea of conserving
36 or 60 month lease option.
fuel than saving money. Either way, it’s a win-win. The
Duty with an available center
pulling heavy loads fairly easy,
automotive writer and product
crossover uses a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, two elec-
Coolest Option? Everything you’d want is pretty
console that features an upper
even for a novice tower.
analyst. He can be contacted
at
marcus@wheelside.com.
tric motors and sophisticated electronics to produce
much standard.
bin that is large enough to Features such as a hydro-
more than 46 percent better fuel econ-
hold a laptop computer and a formed, fully boxed frame
omy than a comparable V8-powered
lower bin that accommodates with advanced torsional rigid-
hanging files. There’s addi- ity and stiffness, a front coil-
BMW X6
ML550 model.
tional storage areas in the in- spring suspension setup with
The Hybrid system, which has been
From page C-1
strument panel, front and rear
the multi-leaf spring design in
in development for nearly five years,
door panels, seat backs, and
the rear help to give the truck
The crossover will do 60
has been integrated within the modified
even the floor — in the crew-
more heavy-duty capability.
mph in 5.4 seconds with a top
automatic transmission, each magneto-
size cab, two in-floor bins
electric motor is dedicated to a specific
The Ram Heavy Duty’s
speed limited electronically of
located in the rear footwells
purpose — one for pulling away under
improved ride is credited to
130 mph, which are hardly the
of the crew cab offer storage
electric power, the other specifically for
better tuned front and rear
kind of numbers you typically
enough for 10 12-ounce cans.
acceleration. With both electric motors,
shocks and springs, and a new
hear associated with a hybrid.
the ML450 HYBRID has a total system
Bins have removable liners C-pillar hydra mounts.
No wonder BMW touts it as the
performance of 335 horsepower and
for easy cleanout. Upper and
most powerful hybrid vehicle
381 lb.-ft. of torque.
lower glove boxes provide a
Yep, whether it’s the com-
in the world.
fort, power or road presence,
total of more than 800 cubic
Mercedes-Benz’s engineers went
the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
Pricing is around $90,000,
to great lengths to integrate the hybrid
inches of storage. Trim models
makes the case for why so
about the same price as the
technology into the ML450 while still
include the ST, SLT, TRX,
many people still love trucks,
X6 M with a few more extras
adhering to the character of the brand.
Power Wagon and premium
even if they don’t have to haul
like 20-inch “Aero” wheels, a
Laramie model.
The Hybrid model is still classic M-
or tow stuff, and even if pub-
rear view camera and a head-
LOADS OF FUN licly we deny it.
up display.
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