2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Due to public knowledge of poor quality control at the Vance, Alabama factory (just outside Tuscaloosa), Mercedes-Benz extensively publicized the US$600 million that was spent to update the factory and add additional manufacturing space for the new R-Class. According to early automotive press reports, the 2006 M-Class vehicles demonstrate vast improvements in build quality.

The W164 platform used for the new M-Class is shared with the new GL-Class and is a unibody type rather than the former (W163) body-on-frame used by the M-Class vehicles produced from 1997-2004. The X164, a longer version of the W164 platform, is also available.

New features in the 2006 M-Class include the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission, optional Active Curve-Illuminating Bi-Xenon headlights which "steer" in the path of the vehicle, and an adjustable-height air suspension. The base price for the ML350 in the US is about US$40,000.

4-valve engines are replacing the previous 3-valve SOHC V6 and current 3-valve V8:

+ ML350 - 3.5 L 4-valve V6, 200 kW (272 hp DIN) and 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf)
+ ML500 - 5.0 L 3-valve V8, 215 kW (292 hp DIN) and 336 ft·lbf (455 N·m)
+ ML450 - 4.6 L 4-valve V8, 325 hp (242 kW) and 370 ft·lbf (500 N·m)
+ ML550 - 5.5 L 4-valve V8, 410 hp (306 kW) and 405 ft·lbf (550 N·m)
+ ML63 AMG - 6.2 L 4-valve V8, 510 hp (347 kW)
+ ML280 CDI - 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 140 kW (190 hp DIN) and 440 N·m (325 ft·lbf)
+ ML320 CDI - 3.0 L V6 Turbo Diesel, 165 kW (224 hp DIN) and 510 N·m (376 ft·lbf)
+ ML400 CDI - 4.0 L BiTurbo V8, 315 hp (235 kW) and 516 ft·lbf (700 N·m)