Senner Tuning Beefs up Mercedes-Benz ML500

After unveiling its Nissan 370Z and Audi A5 Cabriolet kits in September, German tuning firm Senner is at it again with its treatment for the Mercedes-Benz ML500. The company's engineers first turned their attention on the SUVs 5.5-liter V8 engine by optimizing the ECU module and lifting output from the factory model's 388HP and 530Nm, to 412HP and 560Nm [416 lb-ft] of torque.

Other go-fast features include suspension upgrades and a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with trapezoidal tailpipes. A set of 22-inch aluminum wheels are also part of the package, shod in Vredestein "Wintrac Xtreme" high-performance winter sized 295/30 R22.

Prices for the complete kit start from €9,800 in Germany.

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SPIED: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Loses the Heavy Cladding

Last time we showed you spy photos of Mercedes-Benz's forthcoming 2012 M-Class and ML63 AMG SUVs [confusingly, Merc uses the 'M-Class' title for the series and the 'ML' prefix for the model designation], both models were covered in heavy plastic cladding.

In these latest scoop pics of the flagship ML63 AMG, the plastic armor is gone and replaced by black tape, providing us with a more revealing look at the car's styling. The new M-Class features a 'boxier' shape and is evidently more heavily sculpted than the current model. It also gets the more angular grille up front, found on all the latest Mercedes cars.

The AMG-prepped model seen here, features some unique styling details such as the specific bumper designs, side skirts, spoilers and larger alloy wheels.

Underneath the sheetmetal, the new M-Class' chassis is shared with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models as one of the last legacies from the former Daimler-Chrysler partnerships.

Being an AMG model, this M-Class will no doubt feature several upgrades to the suspension, steering and braking systems, and most importantly, the German firm's newly developed 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in place of the current SUV's naturally aspirated 6.2-liter unit.

We still don't know the output numbers on the ML63 AMG, but on other Mercedes models, the bi-turbocharged V8 kicks out 544-horsepower and 800Nm or 590lb ft in standard form, and 571HP and 900Nm or 663.8 lb-ft with an available performance pack upgrade.

Look for the new ML63 AMG to debut at a major international car show in 2011.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG Receives Minor Cosmetic Updates

Mercedes-Benz's 510-horsepower-strong ML63 AMG SUV has received some rather minor upgrades for the 2011 model year. The subtle changes to the exterior include a newly styled bonnet with power domes, darkened bi-xenon headlamps with active light function and smoked tail lamps incorporating a clear-lens design and LED technology. And that about covers the updates to the 2011 ML63 AMG model.

There are no interior or mechanical changes with the ML63 AMG featuring the same 6.3-litre V8 engine with 500HP and 630Nm that propels the SUV accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.0 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The updated ML 63 AMG is available to order now (at least in Europe) with first customer deliveries to take place in July 2010. In Germany, it carries a price tag of €105,077 or about US$125,500 at today's exchange rates.

VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes ML Prototype and AMG S-Class Pull Out CL-Class AMG Test Car from Snow Ditch

Now here's an incident that you don't get to see very often - let alone capture on film. But these spy photographers got lucky when, while they were tailing a camouflaged 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML SUV prototype on a snow covered road, the driver of the SUV led them straight to a CL-Class AMG facelift test car that was trapped in a ditch!

At first, the Mercedes-Benz team tried to pull out the CL-Class AMG coupe only with the all-wheel drive ML.

When that didn't work, they then employed the help of an S-Class AMG sedan equipped with snow chains. The combined pulling power of the two Mercs did the job. Enjoy the video after the break.

Via: Youtube / AMS

SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Snagged in Germany

Two heavily camouflaged prototypes of the next generation Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (or M-Class, if you prefer) were caught testing in Germany by our man with the long lens. These spy pictures suggest that Merc's BMW X5 and Audi Q7 rival in the luxury SUV segment may be slightly smaller with shorter front and rear overhangs than the current model, though it appears that the wheelbase remains the same.

As is common with early prototype models, both MLs were sheltered in cladding but it is safe to assume that Mercedes' designers will infuse the new SUV with the brand's latest styling cues as seen on vehicles such as the E-Class and the GLK. That means a "boxier" shape with a sculptured front fascia, an equally chiseled profile and more pronounced fenders.

Underneath, the 2012 ML-Class shares its platform with the next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee.

There's not much information going on about the engine line-up but we gather that ML will be offered with a similar range of V6 petrol and diesels along with a V8 petrol and a range-topping 6.3-liter V8 for the sporty AMG model, all of which should be tweaked to deliver more power and at the same time, higher fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

There's also talk about a next-generation hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability. Just this past April, Mercedes launched the ML450 HYBIRD at the New York Auto Show.

This particular model features a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 3.5-liter V6 Atkinson cycle engine with two electric motors for a total output of 335HP with an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating of 22mpg (10.7lt/100km).

We'll see the new ML-Class for the first time in late 2011, most likely at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Mercedes Launches New GL-Class, ML-Class and R-Class BlueTEC Diesel Models in Europe

Beginning in autumn 2009, Mercedes-Benz will offer its trio of crossover models in Europe with its 'clean' V6 diesel engine featuring BlueTEC technology. Besides the GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, European customers will have the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC models to choose from. Already available in the U.S., all three models are powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel producing 211HP at 3,000 rpm and 540Nm of peak torque from 1,600 to 3,400 rpm.

Mercedes-Benz developed the BlueTEC technology that focuses particularly on nitrogen oxides in order to reduce the emissions of diesel vehicles. The tech involves injecting a non-toxic aqueous carbamide solution called "AdBlueÓ" into the exhaust gas flow that then releases ammonia. In the downstream SCRcatalyst system the ammonia then converts up to 80 per cent of the nitrogen oxides into the harmless products nitrogen and water.

According to the German automaker, the GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, ML350 BlueTEC 4MATIC and R350 BlueTEC 4MATIC already fulfill the emissions limits of the EU 6 standard, which won't go into effect until 2014.

As for the BlueTEC models' combined fuel consumption, the ML-Class and R-Class variants both return an average of 8.7 lt/100km (27mpg US) while the larger and heavier GL-Class has been rated at 9.0lt / 100km (26.1mpg US).