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.

Modèle	Millésimes	Châssis	Moteur	Boîte	Total
ML 270 CDI	1999–2001	163.113	612.963	716.644	inclus ci-dessus
ML 270 CDI	2002–2004	163	612		inclus ci-dessus
ML 230	1998–2000	163.136	111.977	717.461	8,640
ML 320	2002–2004	163	112		inclus ci-dessus
ML 350	2002–2004	163	112		inclus ci-dessus
ML 350	2003–2004	163	112		inclus ci-dessus
ML 500	2002–2004	163	113		inclus ci-dessus
ML 55 AMG	1999–2001	163.174	113.981	722.666	inclus ci-dessus
ML 55 AMG	2002–2004	163	113		inclus ci-dessus

* Le chiffre de production publié couvre toutes les séries de ce modèle ; la source ne le détaille pas davantage.

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 à 5,750 tr/min
390 N·m
288 lb·ft à 3,000 tr/min
113.981 5.4 L · 5,439 cc
347 PS
255 kW · 342 hp à 5,500 tr/min
510 N·m
376 lb·ft à 2,800 tr/min

OM612

Inline-5 diesel

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

M111

Inline-4

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

M112

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