The M-Class EDITION 10 is a fitting tribute to mark the tenth anniversary of the award-winning M-Class, and does so by offering customers a feature-rich version of the popular SUV that has been the first choice for more than 19,000 Australian customers since its arrival ten years ago.

Not only is the Mercedes-Benz M-Class the second-best selling model in the marque's Australian passenger car range it is also an ongoing success story for the world’s oldest and most experienced car maker.

This commemorative edition of the M-Class SUV is now available to Australian customers with a choice of two engines: the petrol V6-equipped ML 350 or the torque-rich turbo-diesel ML 320 CDI, both of which are the most popular models in the M-Class luxury SUV range.

The prices for each model are:

Model	Price*
Mercedes-Benz ML 350 EDITION 10	$91,100
Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI EDITION 10	$94,100

*Prices do not include dealer delivery and the various statutory charges

Customers who opt for this stylish new M-Class version will receive a number of special features, many of which are unique to the M-Class EDITION 10. Others are normally only available as optional equipment from this model’s equipment catalogue. These features are listed below.

Exterior:

• Stunning 20-inch light alloy wheels in a five-spoke design and in a choice of either titanium silver or titanium grey finish (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)
• Bi-xenon headlamps with Active Light System, dark-tinted lenses, cornering lights and headlamp cleaning system
• Glass electric sunroof with tilt and slide functions
• Simulated under-body guards in stainless steel front and rear
• Choice of three paint finishes: Calcite White (non-metallic white), Iridium Silver (metallic silver) or Obsidian Black (metallic black)
• Twin-split chrome tailpipes (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)
• Front grille finished in titanium with chrome highlights (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)
• EDITION 10 Badges on the front guards (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)

Interior:

• COMAND APS navigation and in-car entertainment system with reversing camera
• Tow-tone leather upholstery (choice of either two-tone black or cashmere beige) (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)
• Black fabric roof lining and door centre panels in ARTICO upholstery (unique to M-Class EDITION 10)
• Anthracite poplar timber trim
• Sports instrument cluster
• Aluminium sports pedals with rubber studs
• Specially badged EDITION 10 floor mats (unique to M-Class EDITION 10

Together, these features normally retail for more than $14,000 (this includes the cost of metallic paint). Therefore, for a premium of only $2,000, the M-Class EDITION 10 is clearly a fantastic offer, representing exceptional value.

The standard equipment fitted to these trendsetting SUV models is extensive, and the M-Class EDITION 10 takes the value of this luxury vehicle to another level.

Included are the following features as standard equipment:

• 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT and steering wheel-mounted gearshift buttons
• ESP® Electronic Stability Programme
• 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive and the 4ETS traction system with additional functions including Downhill Speed Regulation, hill-start assist and off-road ABS
• Eight airbags, BAS Brake Assist, NECK-PRO active head restraints and the brilliant PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system
• Luxury package
• THERMATIC automatic climate control

Difficult terrain is made even easier with the optional Off-Road Pro engineering package, which includes a low-range ratio, electronically controlled multi-disc differential locks for the centre and rear differentials and increased ground clearance. Optional extras include the AIRMATIC air suspension system with the Adaptive Damping System ADS, multi-contour front seats and the KEYLESS-GO automatic drive authorisation system, all of which add extra comfort and convenience.

Ten years strong

The first generation of the M-Class (model code W 163) was launched in 1997, paving the way for today’s premium SUVs. Fitted with all-wheel drive as standard, it combined the comfort and handling safety of a passenger car with the ruggedness of an off-road vehicle. This Sports Utility Vehicle also offered ample room and optimum adaptability, virtually assuring its success from the off: some 600,000 units of the first-generation M-Class were sold worldwide before it was replaced by the all-new model generation in 2005. The W 164 series consummately perpetuates this success story; around 250,000 Mercedes-Benz customers have already purchased this model.

The Mercedes-Benz all-wheel-drive story began a hundred years ago 

In addition to marking the 10th anniversary of the model series, the launch of the M-Class EDITION 10 also recalls another significant event. In 1907 – just over a hundred years ago – the Berlin-Marienfelde plant rolled out the world’s first all-terrain all-wheel-drive passenger car. This one-off vehicle, painstakingly designed by Paul Daimler, was used by the German Imperial Colonial Office in German Southwest Africa, now known as Namibia. The technology used in the 3.6-tonne vehicle with its touring car body and six seats was ahead of its time. In addition to the permanent all-wheel drive, the large vehicle even had all-wheel steering for better manoeuvrability. The entire powertrain was encapsulated, making it perfectly suited to the ubiquitous dusty desert tracks of German Southwest Africa. A sturdy under-ride guard protected the transmission.

The Dernburg Wagen, named after Bernhard Dernburg, the head of the German Imperial Colonial Office, was used successfully for several years, mainly in the area around Windhoek and Swakopmund, and clocked up no less than 10,000 kilometres. The trail of this unique vehicle went cold in the post-colonial era – its whereabouts is now a mystery.