Mercedes-Benz claims to have invented the luxury SUV with the original M-Class in 1997, although Range Rover fans might give them an argument on that. More than a million M’s have rolled off the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, production line since then and the Tuscaloosa Taxi has become one of the world’s most upmarket off-roaders.
Nevertheless, Daimler feels that, for certain government-funded glitterati, even the M-Class isn’t cushy enough. For those customers, there’s the M-Class Grand Edition.
The Grand Edition package is available for any model in the M-Class range except the ML63 AMG; it starts with an AMG grille flanked by dark-tinted headlights and LED daytime driving lights, complemented by darkened LED tail lights, blue tinted glass and, of course, Grand Edition badges on the front wings.
Front and rear bash plates are chrome-plated, as are the rectangular tailpipes, aluminium running boards and bling up the profile and it runs on 10-spoked, 19” alloys. Metallic paint and an electric sunroof are standard.
Grand Edition customers are greeted by stainless steel door sills and cosseted in black leather upholstery with contrasting beige top-stitching and piping, wood-veneer trim in decorative poplar with chromed accents and a roof lining in special black fabric.
At night, ambient lighting creates the exclusive Grand Edition mood. The dashboard is finished in Artico man-made leather, the centre door panels are lined with real leather and finished in contrasting topstitching. Neck-Pro luxury head restraints for the driver and front passenger, and heatable front seats are standard.
The driver’s hands rest on an AMG sports steering wheel in leather with shift paddles, his feet on sports pedals of brushed stainless steel with rubber studs, and a Grand Edition emblem on the centre console underlines his claim to exclusivity.
Mechanically, the Grand Edition is your standard M-Class. It’s available in two formats: the 4Matic version with electronically controlled off-road driving modes or the “Technical Off-road package” with mechanical locks on the centre and rear differentials, and on-the-fly low range transfer case.
The M-Class Grand Edition range comes standard, with MobiloDrive 120 maintenance and service cover and a two-year, unlimited-distance warranty.
PRICES
(including VAT and CO2 tax)
ML350 CDI - R789 333
ML 350 - R770 983
ML 500 - R896 232