Mercedes M-class facelift (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

13 March 2008 11:43

Believe it or not, but this is the facelifted Mercedes M-class. And despite the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it styling, Merc claims to have meticulously revamped its SUV.

The nose gets a new front bumper, new headlights, and in case the M-class wasn’t in-your-face enough, there’s also now a ‘more dominant radiator’.

The M-class’s rear gets new reflector lights designed to emphasise the width of the car (!), while roof rails are now standard fit. Inside there’s a new four-spoke steering wheel, improved materials, and an updated telecommunications system. As in the facelifted SL, the hardware looks little different but the software is much improved.

The M-class now also features Mercedes’ Pre-Safe anticipatory crash protection system. Engine choice remains unchanged, but Mercedes claims some small fuel consumption improvements.

Come 2009 we’ll see the ML450 Hybrid. Mating a V6 engine to two electric motors this SUV will produce a combined total of 316bhp and 354lb ft, while returning 36.7mpg and emitting only 185g/km CO2. By comparison today’s ML350 makes do with 268bhp, 258lb ft, does 24.1mpg on the same combined cycle, and puffs out 279g/km CO2. In the meantime the States will receive a Bluetec M-class, but that car won't be coming to the UK.

Click 'Next' below to read about the revised Mercedes ML63 AMG

By Ben Pulman