Master class

PITSTOP

The second generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class will get a standard seven-speed automatic (with shift buttons on the wheel and a close-set selector lever), MB's new PreSafe pre-emptive safety system, air suspension and more off-road prowess.

However, the most visible change is the new body, which looks sleeker, more purposeful and brawny  and yet more car like. The SUV grows marginally in size and sits 9 mm lower than the outgoing car.  Four new engines will be on offer, starting from the 280 CDI's 190 bhp inline six. The five cylinder diesel in the 320 CDI is being replaced by a new 224 bhp/50 kgm V6 common-rail.

The two petrol engines are the V6 in the ML 350, good for 272 bhp, and the full house ML 500 will make 306 bhp. The regular M-Class will have permanent four-wheel drive, now with downhill driving assist, off-road ABS and start-off assistance.

For real dirty work, you can specify the off-road package, which nets you a two-speed transfer case, selectable differential locks and modified air suspension which can raise ground clearance on demand. The new car will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2005 and go on sale soon after.

Singh along

Malaysians Karamjit Singh and Allen Oh have won the MRF India Rally, crowning their dominant 2004 season with a final victory. Singh and Oh have already won the 2004 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. MRF driver Katsuhiko Taguchi started the rally in the lead, but Karamjit blazed off to a 35 second lead on the very next stage.

However, the rally was proving to be tough "�  Taguchi's team mate Armin Kremer retired and Singh had to slow down after breaking a strut. By the end of the first day Taguchi was 6.4 seconds behind. The second day didn't go much better initially. Singh suffered a double puncture and his lead dropped to just 1.8 seconds.

But the Malaysian got lucky "� a service halt was right after the incident. From this point on, Singh was on a charge that saw his lead grow to 30 seconds again. Two stages before the finish, the stewards ended the rally with spectator safety concerns, as unruly villagers caused many near-misses.

Naren Kumar, signed by JK Tyre hours before the rally, was the sole Indian driver and he took a commendable fourth place in an unfamiliar car.