1998 Mercedes Ml320...Continued

History: Mercedes, generally thought of as being built in Stuttgart, Germany, actually has a small and unusual history in the United States. Under a special licensing agreement at the turn of the century, the Steinway Piano Company in Long Island, New York, built "American Mercedes" cars from 1905 until a devastating fire destroyed the factory in 1907. Decades later in the 1980s, Mercedes-Benz built trucks and Unimogs (similar to those seen in the newest Jurassic Park movie "The Lost World") in Hampton, Virginia.

Now, approaching the turn of another century, Mercedes recently opened their first passenger vehicle production facility in the United States.

Vehicle Type: 4-door, 5-passenger sport utility vehicle

Base Price: (Estimated) $34,500

Test Vehicle Price: (Estimated) $40,000

Engine: 215-horsepower SOHC V6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic transmission

Fuel Economy: (Projected) 17 mpg city/21 mpg highway

Safety Features: Mercedes, always a leader in safety technology, offers an impressive list of standard safety features. In addition to driver and front passenger airbags, the M-Class is also equipped with side airbags located in the front doors. All five seating positions offer seats whose cushions consist of polyurethane foam inlay. The seat pan design incorporates an anti-submarining wedge. In the event of a collision, this wedge helps to restrict the forward motion of the occupants. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, individual head restraints for all five passengers, height-adjustable shoulder belts, keyless entry system with panic button, anti-theft system and a retractable cargo cover all add up to extra safety and security for the vehicles occupants and stowed cargo.