Height of Luxury

摘要

Mercedes has a new luxury SUV in the shape of the Mk3 M-class. Is it good enough to beat the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne? Curious one, the 'sport' element of sport utility vehicle'. Utility, I can understand. Vehicle I can cope with. But sport? Put it this way: if I wanted sport from a car, I wouldn't start with one whose kerb weight is the wrong side of two tonnes. But here we are, with one all-new, one recently new, and one very recently tickled SUV. Newest, and the reason for our congregation on a spot of mercifully little-known open land in the south of England, is the latest Mercedes-Benz M-class, third generation of what Mercedes says is the best-selling car in its segment. To date, Mercedes has sold more than 1.2 million of 'em. Its generations have, though, been around for longer than the other pair's. The Porsche Cayenne, launched in this second-generation form in 2010, joins it in spec-similar form. The Mercedes is badged ML350 Bluetec; the Porsche rather more simply Cayenne Diesel, reflecting the greater simplicity to Porsche's diesel range. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel. Both have automatic gearboxes and monocoque chassis. Both should prove fine road cars.