New American-built editions of the M Class of sport-utility vehicles from Mercedes-Benz score a make-over with a second generation of designs for ML350 and ML500 based on a unibody structure that measures about six inches longer and three inches wider than first-generation models. Each version is a sensuous study drawn in curvaceous sheetmetal and shiny chrome. A new scheme for the five-seat cabin draws on fine leathers, polished hardwoods and brushed aluminum accents.

ML350 employs the new 3.5-liter V6 engine with 268 hp. ML500 packs the Mercedes 5.0-liter V8 for 302 hp. Transmission with either plant is the 7G-tronic TouchShift automatic. Both models employ full-time AWD equipment with three open differentials -- front, rear and center. Then Mercedes adds a four-wheel adaptation of the electronic traction control system dubbed 4ETS.

Also aboard is the Mercedes alphabet soup of computerized vehicle controls.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.

Both hard and soft tops apply to mid-size CLK Class cars. Convertibles, derived from the hardtop coupes, are cut to airy drop-tops by German car crafter Karmann. Three two-door coupes appear this year, as do three convertibles.

Trims for each include the CLK350 with a new 3.5-liter twin-cam Mercedes V6 for 268 hp or CLK500 with the 5.0-liter V8 zipped to 302 hp. CLK55 AMG goes further with a 469-hp 5.5-liter supercharged V8 by AMG, even bigger wheels plus heavy-duty brakes and shifter paddles on the steering wheel for hands-on transmission control.

Convertibles seat four in luxury. A cloth soft top, in multiple layers draped over an aluminum frame, quickly tucks beneath a metal bonnet by motorized means. With the top down, CLK convertibles look slick and aggressive as the bonnet shows nacelle blisters trailing behind rear seatbacks like ones once worn by vintage race cars.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.

Mid-size luxury cars from Mercedes include four-door sedans and five-door wagons with powertrains extending to a high-performance V8 and a turbo-diesel V6. E320 CDI is the diesel-powered sedan, available in 45 of the 50 United States. It totes a 3.2-liter in-line-six with common-rail direct injection (CDI) and turbo-charging. The plant produces 201 hp plus substantial torque, and fuel economy scores run well above 30 mpg for highway cruising.

The E320 becomes E350 in 2006 due to a new 3.5-liter twin-cam V6 added with 268 hp. 4Matic AWD equipment is available on E350 sedan and wagon or E500 sedan but it's standard on E500 wagon. The E55 performance sports sedan totes the AMG 5.5-liter V8 with supercharger and inter-cooler to deliver 469 hp.

Active head restraints for front buckets appear on every E Class car in 2006, while E350 and E500 roll on new 17-inch wheels.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.

These Mercedes roadsters have seats for only two in a lux cockpit crowned by a hardtop that folds through electro-hydraulic muscle and tucks into the trunk. Design for the roadster, in part homage to the original Mercedes gullwing 300SL, scores among the most artistic to come from the tri-star brand.

Four editions appear in 2006 -- SL500 and SL600, plus the performance-driven SL55 AMG and ripper SL65 AMG. SL500 draws from a 5.0-liter V8 that delivers 302 hp through the Mercedes seven-speed TouchShift automatic. SL600 gets the 5.5-liter bi-turbo V12 with inter-cooling to push the power up to 493 hp, and SL55 AMG has the AMG supercharged V8 rated at 493 hp, while SL65 AMG runs with the 12-cylinder AMG bi-turbo worth 604 hp.

Keyless Go and corner-illuminating foglamps are now standard on SL600, with run-flat tires optional.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.

Top-flight full-size coupes, with fluid lines on an exaggerated hood sweeping over the pillar-less roof to an elongated tail, crown the Mercedes line.

Powertrains borrowed from S Class sedans apply to four versions -- CL500 and CL600 plus CL55 AMG and line-capper CL65 AMG. The latter coupe brings a hand-built AMG 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine with twin turbos attached to push the power curve over 600 hp.

For 2006 the AMG Sport package becomes standard issue on CL500 and CL600, and new standard features apply to CL600 such as Keyless Go, a heated steering wheel and electronic truck closer.

Mercedes-Benz with headquarters in Germany makes luxury and performance vehicles that span the scale in size and type with multiple options for power and traction. The vast collection includes souped-up performance variations in many categories built by the Mercedes super-tuner AMG. But there are three new Mercedes classes for 2006 -- the elegant CLS Class of four-door coupes, the large-scale R Class sport tourer wagons and a new generation of designs for American-built M Class of sport-utility vehicles.