Although Mercedes had introduced the Hybrid version of their ML SUV before, but it was BMW who stole the show by revealing the X6 ActiveHybrid which will go on sale soon offering great values. Mercedes couldn’t hesitate anymore, so they announced the ML450 Hybrid for the American market, to be leased for $659 per month for 36 months and $549 per month for 60 months. There are no plans for selling the car at this point.

While the X6 is the most powerful hybrid in the world, The ML450 is not a loser either! It comes with a sophisticated powertrain offering V8 power from a V6 engine (which of course is coupled to two electric motors!) and four-cylinder fuel economy.

The system consists of a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, optimized via the Atkinson cycle, two magneto-electric motors, producing 80 hp and 192 lb.-ft of torque and respectively 83 hp and 173 lb.-ft of torque. With 275 hp of the V6, the car has a combined power of 335 hp and 381 lb.-ft. of torque.

The ML450 HYBRID fulfills the same crash test requirements and offers outstanding active safety with stability control systems such as ESP, ABS and BAS, as well as 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The integration of the hybrid technology has been engineered to require no additional packaging space that would compromise comfort or functionality. The space available in the passenger cabin is as generous as before and the trunk capacity remains fully intact. From the outside, the ML450 HYBRID is recognizable by its modified hood, the BlueEFFICIENCY logo on the fender and by the HYBRID badge on its tailgate.