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.

Modello	Model year	Telaio	Motore	Cambio	Totale
ML 270 CDI	1999–2001	163.113	612.963	716.644	incluso sopra
ML 270 CDI	2002–2004	163	612		incluso sopra
ML 230	1998–2000	163.136	111.977	717.461	8,640
ML 320	2002–2004	163	112		incluso sopra
ML 350	2002–2004	163	112		incluso sopra
ML 350	2003–2004	163	112		incluso sopra
ML 500	2002–2004	163	113		incluso sopra
ML 55 AMG	1999–2001	163.174	113.981	722.666	incluso sopra
ML 55 AMG	2002–2004	163	113		incluso sopra

* Il dato di produzione pubblicato copre tutte le serie di quel modello; la fonte non lo scompone ulteriormente.

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

OM612

Inline-5 diesel

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

M111

Inline-4

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

M112

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