chicagotribune.com's view

Slithering up the mountainside, we realized the path ahead was only about 4 inches wider than the Mercedes-Benz ML320 we were driving.

The path was never made wider because it was fashioned into a road only when Mercedes decided it needed a place for the media to test the off-road capabilities of its new sport-utility vehicle. The ride was made even more treacherous by torrential rains that turned the mountain into a porridge of slimy, red clay.

The ’98 ML320 is the long-awaited Mercedes sport-utility, though the automaker prefers to call it an all-activity vehicle because it acts at home on pavement or in slop and slime.

Half way through the clay stew, the road detoured left but, to make the sharp turn, the ML320 had to be moved as far right to the edge of the soup as possible. All that stood between the ’98 ML320 and the valley below–way, way below–were stubbly pines.

Reading our mind and sensing panic was setting in, Fritz Gerhard, vice president of development for Mercedes and the man credited with bringing the German automaker’s first sport-ute to market, offered soothing advice from his rear-seat vantage point.

“Don’t worry, the trees will stop us. Give it more gas,” he said. We did as told only to find another obstacle once making the turn–the path ahead pointed directly to heaven, if any route in Alabama actually goes there.

Once again Gerhard offered reassurance.

“This vehicle will easily travel up 45-degree inclines,” he said. So we gave it more gas and proceeded up and through the soup- and shale-covered path though the angle was so steep we couldn’t see the ground, only feel the tires dig in to find some solid dirt.

“What is the angle of this hill?” we asked Gerhard after making a quick promise to the Almighty.

“About 70 degrees,” he replied. “We were going to try this going downhill but thought it might be too dangerous.”

To appreciate 70 degrees, grab a clock and draw a line from 7 to 1.

Mercedes planned the mountain venture to focus on the ML320’s versatility to navigate the most treacherous mountain (Lincoln Navigator/Mercury Mountaineer, get it?), yet provide car-like ride, handling and comfort on the open road.

ML320 has a split personality, rugged like any truck-based SUV, comfy and cozy as any luxury sedan. It adapts to its surroundings.

The reason the ML320 is so agile is that Mercedes’ all-wheel-drive system works in concert with the traction control and anti-lock brakes.

Rather than lock its axles to maintain traction on slippery clay or loose, slick shale, the ML320 uses a four-wheel adaptation of its 4ETS electronic traction system.

A computer monitors wheel spin. If one, two or three wheels spin faster than another, the traction control regulates torque by directing it from the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip by applying ABS to the spinni ng wheel or wheels.

Mercedes says the system works even if you are traveling over ice and three wheels spin because all the torque will be directed to the one wheel with grip to keep you from losing control.

We conquered the mountain thanks to the ML320’s full-time all-wheel-drive and a transfer case below the gearshift lever that allows you to slip into even lower gear to handle steep climbs.

In addition to the mountain, there was a stream to forge, in which the water was deep enough to slap against the rocker panels, and a series of man-made 3-foot-high alternating hills, a course that rocked the vehicle side to side without tipping. The ML320 passed the test with minimal scrapes, though maximum red clay splatter that even dotted the roof rack.

The ML320 is named for its 3.2-liter, 215-horsepower V-6 engine. It will be joined next fall by an ML430 with 4.3-liter V-8 that will go 4ETS one better by offering ESP, or electronic stability pr gram, similar to Cadillac’s StabiliTrak.

ESP sensors detect when the vehicle isn’t traveling in the direction the steering wheel’s pointed because a wheel is slipping. In a split second, the system transfers torque front to rear or side to side to the slipping wheels to stabilize directional control.

The 3.2 is fairly peppy, and we can’t fault its ability to help a 4,200-pound machine climb a mountain, but there are times on the straightaways when you kick the pedal and the V-6 fails to flex its muscle quickly.

The 4.3-liter V-8 will solve power shortages, though when it arrives, Mercedes better give thought to enlarging the 19-gallon fuel tank.

The 3.2 is mated to a 5-speed automatic. Fuel economy is a surprising 17 miles per gallon city/21 m.p.g. highway.

On dry pavement, the four-wheel independent suspension keeps you well-cushioned. You also will be pleasantly surprised by the short turning radius. The ML320 comes with 16-inch, all-season tires as standard, but 17-inch treads may be offered as a dealer-installed option.

Mercedes has been criticized for allowing the Japanese and U.S. competition to introduce sport-utes into the luxury market while it took its time developing the ML.

But, as Mercedes President Michael Jackson pointed out, the competition for the most part simply dolled up existing sport-utes and called them luxury models, while Mercedes started with a clean sheet of paper and made a luxury vehicle that happens to double as a sport-ute.

And while those others are tipping if not topping $40,000, the ML320 will start at less than $35,000 and go out the door at less than $40,000 with such options as power glass sunroof and leather interior.

The four-door ML320 features plastic rocker panels/door moldings/bumpers and comes with a roof rack as standard, though the vehicle sits so high you’ll need a foot stool to reach the roof rack. Despite the high profile, you don’t feel wobble or body sway.

Power window/mirror/door lock controls are on the center console. In the console is a coin holder; behind it, dual cupholders. A bin slips out from under the passenger seat that can hold a purse out of sight.

Grab handles above each door aid entry and exit, and four hooks along the rear side walls hold coats.

The ML320 is loaded with goodies that neither Japanese nor U.S. luxury sport-utes offer, such as cupholders that fold out of the corners of the dash (right of the passenger, left of the driver); jump seats (optional one or two) that fold down from the rear sidewalls that won’t be added until the ’99 model year but can be retrofitted to ’98 models; the ability, with rear seats up, to hold 19 bags of groceries in the cargo hold, six more than a Jeep Grand Cherokee, or, with seats folded, to hold 82 cases of pop, 28 more than in a Ford Explorer.

Also, to keep the kids separated in the second row o f seats, the middle seat back folds down to serve as a barrier; the second row of seats can be moved forward and folded over to increase stowage space; a first-aid kit is in the rear cargo wall; a power plug under the dash serves accessories; and a black dot matrix in the windshield behind the rearview mirror keeps glare out of the cabin.

Mercedes may or may not have two features ready by the September intro–an optional cupholder/folding tray that pulls from the dash and is large enough to hold sandwich/beverage, and a release button in the overhead console to disengage axles so you can tow your ML behind a motor home.

There are some shortcomings, however, such as a cruise control stalk on the steering column that’s just above and too close to the turn-indicator stalk. It’s possible to grab the wrong stalk by mistake. Mercedes vows a fix is in the works.

Also, the power-window button in the center console is too far back for easy use. And the rea -window privacy glass and large roof pillars means you need to back up with caution.

Perhaps the biggest problem is that with only a handful of ML s to be produced the first year, Mercedes says anyone who waits until Sept. 15 to order one probably will find themselves on the list for second-year output.

Mercedes will build only 65,000 SUVs at its Alabama assembly plant, half of which will be sold in the U.S., the rest exported. Jackson insists there’s no rush to boost output.

“The focus is on quality. We’re building on one shift now, will go to a second shift in September and it will be four to five months after that before we’re fully ramped up and will then add right-hand-drive versions for export. We won’t even talk about building more until we’re fully ramped up,” he said.

>> 1998 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Wheelbase: 111 inches Length: 180.6 inches Engine: 3.2-liter, 215-h.p. V-6 Transmission: 5-speed automatic EPA mileage: 17 m.p.g. city/21 m.p.g. highway. Base price: Pennies under $35,000 Price as tested: Not available. Goes on sale Sept. 15. Though options not priced, with typical equipment–sunroof, leather seats, heated power front seats, trip computer, rear privacy glass and premium sound system–expect to pay just under $40,000. Pluses: A lot of vehicle for $35,000 to $40,000 when Chevrolet, Ford and Jeep SUV’s are running around with similar stickers. Dual front and side air bags. Full-time all-wheel-drive. Massive rear-seat room. Wide-opening doors. An SUV that rides and handles like a luxury car until you go off road–then it performs like Schwarzenegger. Minuses: Try to get your hands on one of these limited numbers. With darkened privacy glass and large rear roof pillars, backing up requires TLC. Power window button behind driver’s arm in console. Cruise control stalk on steering column too close to turn indicator stalk. No V-8 and no third seat until fall. >>