In autumn 2001 the facelifted first-generation M-Class appeared on the market. Better safety, improved dynamics and even more fun at the wheel – these were the most important goals of the product evolution. Mercedes-Benz added significant value to the attractive and very successful all-wheel-drive car, with changes to the design, interior, technology and standard equipment to match the needs of their customers even better than before. A total of over 1,100 completely new or modified components were used for this comprehensive facelift.
M-Class vehicles of the 2002 model year were visibly different from their predecessors at first glance. Redesigned bumpers on the front and rear sections enhanced the already powerful, dynamic character of the all-wheel-drive vehicle, while the clear-lens headlamps and aerodynamically shaped door mirror casings with integrated indicator lamps brought additional touches of elegance to the overall appearance. All detachable parts on the bodywork – bumpers, side rub strips and door mirror casings – were now painted in vehicle colour on ML 270 CDI and ML 320 models too.
New 17-inch light-alloy wheels and all-season wide-base tyres of sizes 255/60 R 17 (for five and six-cylinder models) and 275/55 R 17 (for eight-cylinder models) augmented the dynamic aspects of the design when viewed from the side.
On the inside, the M-Class received an eye-catching redesign to the centre console, which now was upgraded with fine wood trim as standard on model variants. Among other features offered by the new centre console, there were additional stowage compartments between the front seats, an improved double cup holder for the rear passengers, an illuminated ashtray, a 12-volt socket and new, individually adjustable air outlets.
The automatic climate control system, fitted as standard on the M-Class, was completely redesigned and equipped with the latest technology. Operation of the high-performance system was simplified by the introduction of elegant controls with integrated buttons for adjusting automatic mode, air recirculation and other functions. Fully user-configured climate control was now also possible in the rear, thanks to an extra booster fan and separate air outlets.
With its electronically controlled 4ETS all-wheel-drive system, the M-Class proved itself as a vehicle for all road conditions. Two new powerful, high-torque V8 engines improved the driving experience on paved and unpaved roads beyond the already high standard achieved previously. Both engines originated in the S-Class: a four-litre diesel engine generating 184 kW (250 hp) and a five-litre petrol engine with 215 kW (292 hp).
For the new ML 400 CDI, Mercedes-Benz 2001 introduced one of the most powerful diesel engines in the world. Equipped with common-rail direct injection, bi-turbocharging and four-valve technology, the eight-cylinder diesel in the new model could accelerate the all-wheel-drive car from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 8.1 seconds, push it to a top speed of 213 km/h and get by on just 10.9 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the New European Drive Cycle. In-gear acceleration was exemplary, delivering rapid bursts of speed thanks to the availability of a vigorous 560 newton metres of torque from just 1700 rpm. Tank capacity was increased to 83 litres for all M-Class engine variants, meaning that a ML 400 CDI could achieve a range of 840 kilometres on one tank.
Even better performance was on offer in the new ML 500 which superseded the previous ML 430. Its brawny 215 kW (292 hp) V8 engine developed a torque of 440 newton metres at 2700 rpm and launched the M-Class to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 7.7 seconds. Top speed in the new ML 500 was 221 km/h. Distinctive exterior features setting the V8 M-Class model apart included understated chrome trim strips on the radiator grille louvres, door handles and tailgate handle, plus a dedicated wheel rim design.
The flagship ML 55 AMG model, with a powerful 255 kW (347 hp) V8 high-performance engine, underlined its prominent position in the M-Class model range even more strongly than before with a silver-painted radiator grill. Alongside the ML 55 AMG and the two new V8 models, ML 400 CDI and ML 500, the choice of M-Class variants still included the ML 270 CDI with five-cylinder diesel engine, and the ML 320 with V6 petrol engine.
Facelifted M-Class vehicles also offered further improvements to occupant protection, with window airbags as standard: in the event of a side impact, these would unfold like curtains over the inside of the side windows. At around 200 centimetres long and 50 centimetres high, these new airbags supplemented the protective effect of the side airbags in the doors.
Extra driving safety was also delivered by the innovative bi-xenon headlamps which had previously been seen on the CL-Class coupés. Through use of gas-discharge lamps, these headlamps generated double the light intensity of conventional halogen lamps and guaranteed even better illumination of the road with both low beam and high beam. In combination with the bi-xenon headlamps, the M-Class was fitted with sensor-controlled dynamic headlamp range adjustment and a high-pressure cleaning system for the transparent covers over the headlamps.
The post-facelift M-Class also retained a special light sensor on the windscreen that automatically switched on the exterior lights when it got dark. Headlamp Assist, as this feature was known, was part of the standard equipment on the all-wheel-drive vehicle. PARKTRONIC parking assist was another optional extra available on the M-Class from model year 2002 onwards.
Mercedes-Benz launched a new special model of the M-Class, the limited edition Exclusive, in Germany and Switzerland in spring 2002 – only 550 of these were available. Stand-out features of this special model included a state-of-the-art multimedia entertainment system for the rear passengers, a CD changer, a Bose sound system, sports seats for the driver and front passenger and attractive 18-inch light-alloy wheels with wide-base tyres of size 285/50 R 18. M-Class Exclusive versions were available for the ML 500 and ML 400 CDI V8 models. Externally, the special models were inscribed with the word Exclusive on the badges on the driver and front passenger doors. Further highlights of the standard equipment offered were metallic paint, a bright silver painted radiator grille with subtle chrome inserts, a power tilting/sliding glass sunroof and tinted glass in the rear compartment and tailgate.
Manufacture of the ML 320, the first M-Class to be produced in 1997, ceased in December 2002. This volume model was superseded by the ML 350 which was equipped with a more powerful, larger version of the V6 engine of the M 112 series. With a swept volume of 3.7 litres, the new model generated 173 kW (235 hp). Torque was increased by more than 10 per cent to 345 newton meters.
At the end of 2002 the M-Class Inspiration special model appeared on the market. It was available in the shape of the new ML 350, among other options. Equipment on the limited edition incorporated 17-inch light-alloy wheels, 275/75 R 17 wide-base tyres, the silver painted chrome-finish radiator grille of the top-end ML 55 AMG and an air intake grille in the front bumper painted in vehicle colour. Bodywork could be finished in a range of metallic paints: brilliant silver, obsidian black, black, tanzanite blue and travertine beige. Anthracite coloured leather dominated in the interior, accentuated with light grey topstitching on the AMG sports front seats, door trim, steering wheel, armrests between the front seats and selector lever knob. To finish off the sophisticated interior appointments in the special model, Mercedes-Benz added black poplar-wood trim from the Mercedes-Benz designo range, floor mats with the Inspiration emblem and light grey topstitching, and round cockpit dials with white needles and understated chrome surrounds.
M-Class vehicles of model series 163 were superseded in spring 2005 by the completely redesigned successor models of model series 164 which were built in the same Tuscaloosa factory. Production of the first-generation M-Class ceased there in December 2002 after a total 647,738 units had been built. This grand total included 77,095 vehicles that were produced in Graz between 1999 and 2002 in addition to the G-Class to satisfy the high level of demand. Most popular was the ML 320 model, of which 282,614 were assembled, representing 43 percent of the total output.
