Merc unveils all-new M-class 08 | 06 | 2011

MERCEDES HAS released the first official images of its all-new M-class, and the newcomer will get a new four-cylinder diesel engine as the company bids to give the upmarket SUV class-leading fuel economy.

When it enters Scottish showrooms in April next year, Mercedes has yet to confirm whether the base ML250 Bluetec will have a place in the range. The strange thing is, there's no denying its economy and CO2 figures would most likely make it the best-seller.

Powered by a twin-turbo 2.1-litre diesel engine with 201bhp and 369lb/ft, the ML250 boasts a seven-speed automatic gearbox with stop-start and brake energy recuperation. The package helps the car achieve a class-leading 47mpg. To put that into perspective, it betters the outgoing six-cylinder ML300 CDI’s economy by a whopping 28%.

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Overall CO2 emissions of 158g/km are another attractive aspect, plus that of a theoretical range of over 900 miles on the new M-class’s optional 93-litre tank.

What has been confirmed though for the UK market is the ML350 Bluetec, which uses a 254bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel, and the ML63 AMG, which will be powered by a 536bhp twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8.

The tail-end of 2012 will see the introduction of a diesel-electric version, called the ML300 Hybrid. This will run the ML250’s 2.1-litre engine in combination with a 20bhp electric motor. It's believed the hybrid will deliver a combined average fuel consumption of 54.3mpg.

In terms of external appeal, the newcomer has more contemporary and updated form from the outgoing model, though it retains the same basic proportions. And the new model is bigger than its predecessor — 24mm longer, 16mm wider and 19mm lower; that means it's 4804mm long, 1926mm wide and 1796mm tall. Wheelbase remains the same at 2915mm.

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Mark Stephens