Tax-friendly engines and habitual SUV fad are attracting Mercedes to make the third-gen ML in Thailand.
- So, the rumour has been confirmed ...
Although Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) hasn't made a formal announcement yet, top executives have whispered to Life that the Germans are hoping to enhance their Thai portfolio with a new product in the guise of an SUV.
You see, SUVs are still a living craze in Thailand and the only Mercs to come with competitive prices _ meaning assembled in Thailand _ are mainstream saloons like in the C, E and S classes.
BMW is currently bolting the X1 and X3 in the country with prices circa 2.2 and 3.5 million baht, respectively. Mercedes, meanwhile, has no Thai-built SUV offering, and that's why it wants to build the ML-class here.
- But isn't the ML a rival for the X5?
Yes, so that means Mercedes has to start with a bigger model (theoretically meaning higher prices and lesser sales than the X3 and X1, albeit more margin-per-unit). Mercedes has the GLK in Europe to match the X3, but it isn't engineered for right-hand-drive.
Because of that, ML would be in a class of its own when assembly is slated to start next year (the Thai-built Volvo XC90 is ageing terribly despite a friendly 3.5 million baht price tag).
The third-generation ML, codenamed W166 and seen here in the first official pictures, has evolved mildly over the preceding model, currently in Thai showrooms with that same distinct C-pillar design theme.
Despite the similarities in terms of looks, the new ML is 24mm longer, 16mm wider and 19mm lower than before for a more dynamic appearance. Airmatic air suspension promises the ML will have some off-roading capabilities.
The wheelbase remains at 2,915mm, which explains why Mercedes isn't making big noises in terms of improved levels of practicality.
However, the gentlemen in Stuttgart stress that the new ML has better rear seats _ a critical point in the second-gen ML _ and a higher level of luxury and noise insulation, as well as more safety options, including side airbags for rear passengers and a knee airbag for the driver.
Rear seats claimed to be comfier.
- What are the engines beckoning Thai product planners?
It's definitely not the existing 190hp 3.0-litre V6 in the ML300 CDI; it's the new downsized four-cylinder diesel-turbo for the ML250 CDI used in the E250 and C250 CDIs. With a 16.7kpl average, the ML250 is claimed to be 28% more efficient than the ML300.
Apart from being able to avoid 80% import tax, the ML250 would face a 5% lower excise tax rate of 35%, due to its smaller engine, to theoretically bring down the price from 6 million baht to around 4 million baht.
Plus, the rumoured ML300 Hybrid _ essentially an electrified version of the ML250's basic running gear _ could be taxed at just 10% by the excise people to further lower the price, if production costs warrant.
Seven-speed automatic is standard across the range, as well as six-mode adjustable traction control for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system for easy mud trekking.
Exterior styling is evolutionary.
- Cool. It appears downsizing is working in Thailand.
Probably. You will also note that the CLS and S-class have already downsized with four-pot engines in the guise of CLS250 CGI/CDI and S250 CDI, although their arrivals in Thai showrooms are still imminent.
People at Mercedes have told Life that the S-class can be accepted with a small engine in Thailand, but the German parent firm hasn't given the green light yet (read: a 6 million baht S-class).
In the meantime, get set to welcome a new Merc SUV that could make the E-class estate redundant in Thailand _ either a good or bad thing, depending on your taste and what you think a proper family weekend mover should be like.
THE BLOODLINE
W163
1997-2005
First-gen ML officially arrived on Thai shores with V6 petrol power. Although it had SUV practicality levels to match, the ML was notorious for its patchy build quality and tacky trimmings.
W164
2005-2011
Exterior design and interior quality took a step forward, and it came with V6 diesel alternative to help quell criticisms of hefty fuel consumption that SUVs are usually known for.
W166
2012-
Styling remains evolutionary, but it's the tech that beckons for Thai assembly. There's a new downsized ML250 CDI, and a diesel/electric version of it slated to be badged ML300 Hybrid.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
No comments:
Post a Comment