Built in the United States to conquer the North American SUV market, the Mercedes ML W163 was presented in the USA and Canada in 1997 in versions 320 and 430. In 1998, the European versions were launched, the 4-cylinder MK 320 and 230 and then the ML 320 (V8, 272cv) for the European market. In 1999, the ML 270 CDI (5 cylinders, 163 horsepower) and then the sports version 55 AMG (V8, 357hp) were added. A restyling in 2001 also brought the ML 400 CDI (V8, 250hp) and 500 (V8, 292hp) versions. At the end of the year, the ML 350 with a 235 horsepower V6 engine arrived. The W163 series was supplanted in 2005 by the W164, presented in January at the Detroit Motor Show.