Transmission 7-speed electronically controlled automatic with Direct Select™ shifter. Steering-wheel-mounted Direct Select shifter provides convenient selection of Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. Touch Shift with fingertip shift controls permits the driver to manually downshift and allows upshifts in Drive, via rocker buttons behind the upper steering-wheel spokes. Driver-adaptive programming adjusts shift points to the driver's current driving style. Selecting off-road driving program raises shift points automatically. Shift into Optimum Gear programming allows one-touch selection of the best gear for maximum acceleration or engine braking by holding the Touch Shift button in the downshift position for one second.

Drive configuration 4MATIC™ 4-wheel drive, with 50/50 front/rear torque split maintained via a single-speed transfer case and center differential.

Front and rear axle ratios 3.90:1

Off-road driving program One-button off-road driving program allows driver to simultaneously engage programming recalibrations of the traction system, antilock brakes, engine management, and automatic transmission. Designed to enhance control in conditions typical of off-highway driving.¹

Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) Driver-activated DSR automatically modulates the throttle, brakes, and ABS to maintain a preset crawl speed when descending hills. Speed is preprogrammed at 4 mph but may be adjusted between 3 mph and 10 mph via the multifunction steering wheel. DSR can be used when the gear selector is in Drive or Reverse. Driver can override DSR by pressing the accelerator or switching DSR off via its console-mounted switch.

Hill-start assist To help prevent unwanted vehicle rollback when taking off from a stop on an incline, hill-start assist automatically maintains brake pressure for approximately one second after the driver releases the brake pedal. The system is automatically deactivated when the vehicle is level, the gear selector is in Park or Neutral, or the parking brake is set.

Whether you're reaching for urban elegance or a spot in the wild, you'll find it easier in the ML550. With headroom and legroom that are the envy of mid-sized SUVs, versatile cargo space and equipment configurations, and a sunroof and Sport Package that come standard, the ML550 will meet your ever-changing on-road demands.

Engine 5,461-cc DOHC 32-valve V-8. Aluminum-alloy cylinder block.

Fuel and ignition system Integrated sequential multipoint fuel injection and phased twin-spark ignition includes individual cylinder control of fuel spray, spark timing/phase, and antiknock. Electronic throttle. Two high-energy ignition coils and two spark plugs per cylinder. 100,000-mile spark-plug intervals.