Mercedes M-Class facelift could come by year-end

The third generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class isn’t an old SUV. Since it was introduced globally only in 2011 and is less than three years old, for an SUV it’s not a long time. But with the new BMW X5 coming in, the M-Class needed an update. We’ve been seeing spy pics of the facelifted M-Class as a result being regularly spotted on the internet.

The update will see the single slat Mercedes family grille with the large Mercedes logo in the centre, lifted straight from the S-Class Coupe. There should be some tweaks to the headlight and taillight clusters as well by the time the updated M-Class goes on sale. On the inside, the M-Class gets a redesigned central console with a large COMAND screen protruding out on top. It will also get a new steering wheel and gauges. Internationally, the car will be launched as a 2015 model update towards the end of this year. An Indian launch should follow soon after as Mercedes has been launching its latest models in India within months of their global debut.

The current M-Class is available with a choice of two diesel engines – the 206PS 2143cc four-cylinder unit in the ML250 CDI and the 258PS 3.0-litre V6 diesel mill in the ML350 CDI. We expect both these engines to carry forward into the facelifted model. They are assembled at Mercedes’ Chakan plant near Pune. 

Sometime mid-year, Mercedes will also introduce the smaller and more affordable GLA in India to take on the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. It’s an aggressive model launch year for Mercedes as the highly anticipated new C-Class is also around the corner.