New Mercedes-Benz ML450 HYBRID Offered Only as a Lease Vehicle in the USA

Mercedes-Benz will launch the new ML450 HYBRID onto the U.S. market on Monday, November 16 but with one catch: you won't be able to buy it. See, the German automaker is offering the hybrid SUV in the States as part of a special lease only option. Those interested can choose between a monthly lease price of $659 per month for 36 months or $549 per month for 60 months.

Beneath the ML450 HYBRID's hood lurks a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 gasoline engine that makes 275 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It is combined with a pair of magneto-electric motors integrated within the modified automatic transmission, that produce 80HP and 192 lb.-ft of torque, and 83HP and 173 lb.-ft of torque.

Working with both electric motors when full power is needed, the ML450 HYBRID has a total system output of 335 horsepower and 381 lb.-ft. of torque. The SUV is claimed to accelerate from rest to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 7.8 sec and has a top speed of 131mph or 210 km/h.

Mercedes says that with a fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon around town and 24 mpg on the highway, the ML450's hybrid powertrain returns 46 percent better fuel economy than a comparable V8-powered ML550 model.

Still, that doesn't even come close to Lexus' RX450h Hybrid AWD that boasts an EPA-estimated 30mpg city and 28mpg highway. The Lexus is also faster in the 0-60mph sprint with a time of 7.4 seconds.