Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV · M-Class

W163

The original luxury SUV — Mercedes-Benz goes off-road.

Production: 1997–2005
Built: 58,994
Body: SUV
Chassis: W163

The W163 was Mercedes-Benz's first M-Class — the SUV that created an entirely new market segment when it arrived in 1997, blending passenger-car refinement with off-road capability and American-market practicality.

Built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the W163 used body-on-frame construction with independent front suspension and a choice of V6 and V8 petrol engines plus diesel options for Europe. The ML 55 AMG proved Mercedes-Benz was serious about performance in the segment it had invented. It was not a G-Class and not a station wagon — it was something new.

Production ran from 1997 to 2005. The W163 established the luxury SUV template that every rival subsequently copied — and proved Mercedes-Benz could export its values into a format the traditional saloon range could not reach.

W163 interior — Cabin details of the W163, as preserved in period photography.

Every model.

9 model designations across 1997–2005 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W163.

Modell	Modelljahre	Baumuster	Motor	Getriebe	Gesamt
ML 270 CDI	1999–2001	163.113	612.963	716.644	oben enthalten
ML 270 CDI	2002–2004	163	612		oben enthalten
ML 230	1998–2000	163.136	111.977	717.461	8,640
ML 320	2002–2004	163	112		oben enthalten
ML 350	2002–2004	163	112		oben enthalten
ML 350	2003–2004	163	112		oben enthalten
ML 500	2002–2004	163	113		oben enthalten
ML 55 AMG	1999–2001	163.174	113.981	722.666	oben enthalten
ML 55 AMG	2002–2004	163	113		oben enthalten

* Die veröffentlichte Produktionszahl umfasst alle Serien dieses Modells; die Quelle schlüsselt sie nicht weiter auf.

Studio profile of the W163 — the proportions that defined this chassis.

W163 rear three-quarter view — Rear three-quarter view of the W163.

Engines.

The M111, M112, M113 and OM612 as fitted to the W163.

M113

113.942 4.3 L · 4,266 cc
272 PS
200 kW · 268 hp bei 5,750 U/min
390 N·m
288 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min
113.981 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
347 PS
255 kW · 342 hp bei 5,500 U/min
510 N·m
376 lb·ft bei 2,800 U/min

OM612

Inline-5 diesel

612.963 2.7 L · 2,685 cc
163 PS
120 kW · 161 hp bei 4,200 U/min
370 N·m
273 lb·ft bei 1,600 U/min

M111

Inline-4

111.977 2.3 L · 2,295 cc
150 PS
110 kW · 148 hp bei 5,400 U/min
220 N·m
162 lb·ft bei 3,700 U/min

M112

112.942 3.2 L · 3,199 cc
218 PS
160 kW · 215 hp bei 5,700 U/min
310 N·m
229 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min
112.970 3.7 L · 3,724 cc
235 PS
173 kW · 232 hp bei 5,750 U/min
345 N·m
254 lb·ft bei 3,000 U/min