STUTTGART, Germany — Since it was last redesigned in April 2005, this week Mercedes-Benz unveiled a refreshed M-Class for 2009. The updated Mercedes SUV gets a redesigned front and rear end, new interior appointments and a new four-spoke multifunction steering wheel with added technology.
Reshaped headlamps help define the M-Class' revised front lines, while the rear gets new integrated reflector strips, as well as taillights with a smoked-glass look.
New optional two-tone leather dresses up the cabin and a four-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel with chrome trim puts the latest Mercedes infotainment controls at your fingers. Integrated features include a Bluetooth hands-free system, voice control recognition and an aux-in connection for iPods and the like.
The high-end Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG gets its own fresh look courtesy of new front and rear aprons with a chromed underguard, and a larger AMG grille. New 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels complete the standard exterior modifications.
What this means to you: Mercedes gives the 2009 M-Class a mid-generation dose of added refinement.
Planned to go on sale in 2009, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 450 Hybrid will be the first German-made hybrid sports utility vehicle on the market. And the German car manufacturer claims that the compact sports 'ute will be the most fuel-efficient two-mode petrol hybrid SUV in the world.
Mercedes-Benz has freshened up the US-built ML-Class SUV for the 2009 model year and will debut the facelifted model at the upcoming New York International Auto Show. As with most mid-life makeovers from the German car maker, the changes are mild with the 2009 ML-class featuring a redesigned front end including headlights, larger side mirrors while the rear end also gets an update including smoked taillights. The interior has also been upgraded with higher grade materials and fuel economy has been improved across the range - reducing petrol consumption by 0.4 litres per 100 km compared with the outgoing models
Mercedes knows the midsized luxury SUV segment is bursting with competition, and if attacked properly, high profits as well. To keep its M-Class moving out of dealerships, Mercedes has refreshed the SUV, making exterior changes that bring it in line with its boxy GL and upcoming GLK siblings while interior upgrades are subtle unless you go for the two-tone leather and the two huge eight-inch screens for watching DVDs in the backseat.
Powertrain options remain the same, although Mercedes notes that fuel economy is marginally improved with most engine options. The easiest way to tell if a refreshed M-Class is following you is to look for the "smiling" lower grille which is especially apparent -- for better or for worse -- on light-colored models. The refreshed grille is framed by fog lights pushed to the edges of the SUV, enhancing its presence. Larger side mirrors that follow the new C-Class design have been added and in back, smoked taillights (clear lenses are available) and reflectors integrated into the rear bumper again emphasize the M-Class' size. 19-inch wheels, standard on V-8 models, won't hurt that impression either.
The Official Mercedes-Benz Press Release:
Press Release: At a glance:
new design and technology
Exterior design
- All-new front-end design with prominent horizontal lines
- New radiator grille with three black louvres and chrome highlights (available in sterling silver look with chrome highlights as an option in the exterior sports package)
- New-look projection-beam headlamps
- New exterior mirrors with larger mirror surfaces
- New rear bumper
- Tail lights with darkened lenses (LED tail lights with clear-glass look as an option)
- Twin exhaust system with oval tailpipes (rectangular chromed tailpipes in the exterior sports package as an option, standard for V8)
- Roof rails included in standard specification
- Chrome trim strip in the rub strips (optional in the exterior sports package, standard for V8)
- Waistline trim strip in chrome (optional in the exterior sports package, standard for V8)
- Load sill guard on the rear bumper in chrome (optional in the exterior sports package, standard for V8)
- Exterior sports package with new, enhanced features such as aluminium-look roof rails
Interior design
- Leather-trimmed dashboard in nappa leather or ARTICO man-made leather
- Door linings in ARTICO man-made leather
- New two-tone leather appointments
- Leather multifunction steering wheel in four-spoke design with shift paddles
- Seats with new design
- Three types of wood trim: burr walnut, poplar with bird's-eye look or poplar in anthracite, with stowage compartment in dashboard console as standard
- Luggage cover in standard specification
Comfort
- 4-way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger seats
- Trailer coupling, manually folding
Infotainment
- COMAND system with large colour display and new additional functions
- COMAND APS including hard-disc navigation, Music Register and voice-operated control
- Universal media interface for connecting an iPod and other audio devices
- LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system with whole-word recognition capability
- Surround sound system with twelve speakers and an output of 610 watts
- Rear-seat entertainment system with larger screens and wireless headphones
Safety
- PRE-SAFE® as standard
- NECK-PRO head restraints as standard
Engines and transmission
- Fuel consumption reduced by up to 0.4 litres per 100 kilometres
Chassis
- New 17, 18, 19 and 20-inch light-alloy wheels
- 19-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels standard for V8
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
