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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Police Reports Schneider Art Museum installation re-imagines Rivera UPDATED: Two lanes open after I-5 truck crash near Siskiyou Summit 10 things to know for Friday Education New Southern Oregon University board votes to bump tuition nearly 5 percent in the fall Why OLLI matters: A personal perspective Southern Oregon University names director of marketing Dianne Williamson: College admissions mania ill-advised Rotary Club of Ashland names Riley O'Sullivan as Student of the Month Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area to host party March 28 Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Wild Side: Selfish and other reasons for saving endangered species Mt. Ashland Ski Area: Low snow closes 'bunny hill' chairlift for beginning skiers With pre-season conditions worst in 25 years, catastrophic wildfires expected in region this summer Business Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Snow hopes dashed, Mt. Ashland Ski Area hosts season-ending party Saturday Iconic Ashland bookstore to celebrate 35th anniversary on April 19 Test Drive: 2015 Honda Accord Cars We Remember: The original Candymatic Ramchargers Politics and elections Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for first year Grassroots group campaigns for Plaza paver do-over Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Short-term rental restrictions kept in some areas, loosened in others Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US State News Oregon's governor appoints new secretary of state Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices Alicia Applegate Hardy Death Notices Rosalind Dee Death Notices Shareable Sports Latest Stories Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Ashland Rowing Club hires highly touted coach and national-award winning team director to lead expansion Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Blazers fight back, edge Jazz Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory High school Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Grizzlies rally past GP, to 2-0 start Ashland boys capture another Sato Cup snowboard title at Mt. Bachelor Southern Oregon University Grizz baseball team caps Arizona trip with another win Grizzlies rally past Colorado school for Greenway Festival victory Ashland softball team splits pair in second day of Bend tournament Ducks enjoy the challenge Oregon bows out Voices Latest Stories Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Letters to the Editor, March 27 Editorial Our View: Build it; they will play Our View: How it should work Our View: Ashland High principal is the head of her class Our View: Tuition trauma Our View: SOU's economic clout Letters Letters to the Editor, March 27 Letters to the Editor, March 25 Letters to the Editor, March 23 Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Guest Opinion: Hannah Thomas-Garner's father thanks the Ashland community Guest Opinion: Ashland is asking for trouble with new room rental rules Guest Opinion: More reasons to oppose Jordan Cove Guest Opinion: It's Groundwater Awareness Week; test your well Columns Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity Philip Maddocks: GOP plan offers hope for poor once they become rich Matthew T. Mangino: A clearer picture of police shootings begins to emerge Jeffrey Gillespie: Pax Americana? At what price? Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Top 5 things to do this week Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Community blog: Words, wine and Craig Wright 4 Things To Do This Week Theater Ticket availability Ticket Availability Ashland Contemporary Theatre seeks new artistic director Ticket Availability The Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents Eugene O'Neill's autobiographical 'Long Day's Journey into Night' Music Futureshock: Kendrick Lamar release points to road ahead Laurie Lewis and Kathy Kallick pay tribute to Arkansas bluegrass duo Vern Williams and Ray Park Album reviews: Recent and recommended for March The Farr Side: New format for ‘American Idol’ as show continues a strong run Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: In ‘Danny Collins,’ Pacino helps us imagine a Lennon story Noah Baumbach talks Ben Stiller, adult comedies and more In 'Timbuktu,' lust for power disturbs peace Movie review: ‘The Gunman’ misses the target Movie listings: March 20-26 Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Ride & Drive: 2015 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque App Finder: Best barbecue apps Health Watch: It’s OK to have a cheat day Inner Peace: The good, the bad and the spiritual Antionette Kerr: Tourney fever gets superstitious Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Ashland Calendar: Saturday, March 28 ... Guest Opinion: Ashland council vote on travelers accommodations was less than transparent ... Herb Rothschild Jr: Failing at charity ... Silvio Calabi: Mercedes-Benz ML250 raises the diesel 4×4 stakes Comment By Silvio Calabi More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 8, 2015 at 6:57 PM By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 8, 2015 at 6:57 PM » Social News Eight degrees below zero this morning and the ML250 out in the driveway started right up, with just a bit of creaking and groaning. Actually, that was me. I mention this just in case anyone still thinks diesels — modern clean diesels, that is, like Mercedes-Benz BlueTECs, and re-formulated diesel fuel — aren’t suitable for cold weather. Furthermore, any diesel clatter is audible only outside the vehicle and at low RPM; underway, at any speed, the ML250 BlueTEC 4Matic is luxuriously quiet. It’s also surprisingly quick, considering that the engine is only a 125-cubic-inch (2.1 liters) four-cylinder producing a measly 200 horsepower. But thanks to the higher compression of diesel engines and turbocharging, this motor also churns out 369 pounds-feet of torque — almost the same output as last year’s heavier, thirstier six-cylinder diesel, which it replaces, and more torque than comes from the gasoline V-6 in the much more expensive ML400. So, small though it is, the new 2.1 BlueTEC accelerates this two-and-a-half-ton, five-passenger 4×4 to 60 mph pretty smartly, and then it’ll hold a smooth and silent 80 mph at just 2,200 RPM. Furthermore, if we back the ML250 down to 65 mph, we can expect up to 29 highway mpg and a range of something like 600 miles on a tank of fuel. (In our household, that’s four potty stops.) The ML250 even has a tow rating of 6,600 pounds. In fact, if you believe that a big SUV ought to be a family-oriented, all-weather beast of burden (as opposed to a tarmac-shredding autobahn-stormer), this powertrain — the “little” diesel and the flawless seven-speed automatic transmission — is just about perfect for the ML. (If you want the other kind of SUV, try the 550HP ML63 AMG. Be prepared for sticker shock.) For a workhorse, our ML250 is a pleasure to drive and, as equipped, quite plush. Its starting price of $49,800 covers all the important features that make an ML250 worth owning, from its hewn-from-granite structure and that task-appropriate diesel motor to 4Matic four-wheel drive, the adaptive Agility Control suspension, basic cruise control and extensive safety systems, including emergency braking and collision-prevention assistance. However, it’s probably the nearly 20 grand in added options that would make this a “true” Mercedes-Benz to many buyers — like the $4,030 Premium Package that dresses up the ML250 with things like seat memory, voice control, satnav, extra telematics and so on. (We’re not used to European Mercedes taxicabs with manual windows, so we believe all Mercs must be frippery-laden luxury cars.) I can also live without the self-leveling Airmatic suspension, the lane-keeping nanny, the heated rear seats and the extra trim bits. By leaving off about half the options, I’d keep the price below 60 grand. You, on the other hand, might dig even deeper into the toy chest and drive home an ML250 costing 75K. As with any high-end vehicle, there’s a learning curve. The shift lever is a stalk on the right side of the steering wheel. Nudge it up for Reverse, down for Drive, and push it in for Park. Fine, except that in all this snow I sometimes hit the transmission when I meant to click on the windshield wipers. (The wipers? They’re controlled by a fussy multi-function stalk on the left side of the wheel — and where the shift lever ought to be, between the front seats, you’ll find the COMAND — Cockpit Management & Data system — knob.) A driver who recalls the traditional P-R-N-D-L automatic-transmission pattern of the old-school Detroit sedan will take to this easily — except that pulling down the Merc’s shift lever one click engages Drive, not Reverse. Be careful. Whether chewing through fresh snow or sailing down the interstate, the ML250 makes light of every task. And in town, despite its bulk, the ML250 is a breeze to dock, either manually — relying on the 360-degree cameras and the front and rear oops! sensors — or automatically, with the optional Parktronic active parking assist, which asks the captain to do nothing more than select Reverse or Drive as instructed. However you decide to equip it, the ML250 is a boat. A very nice boat. Likes - Torquey but fuel-sipping diesel - Semi-reasonable price/value - Feels invincible Dislikes - Shift lever - Eco-Mode default on startup - Engine stop-start Silvio Calabi reviews the latest from Detroit, Munich, Yokohama, Gothenburg, Crewe, Seoul and wherever else interesting cars are born. Silvio is a member of the International Motor Press Association whose automotive reviews date back to the Reagan administration. He is the former publisher of Speedway Illustrated magazine and an author. Contact him at [email protected]. By Silvio Calabi More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Silvio Calabi More Content Now Posted Mar. 8, 2015 at 6:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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