Mercedes-Benz has lifted the covers off its redesigned 2009 MY M-Class SUV that will make its worldwide debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show on March 21. The mildly revamped M-Class features a redesigned front bumper, larger mirrors, recontoured headlamps with a pronounced step in the lower edge and a larger radiator grille. Styling changes in the rear include a new bumper with integrated reflector strips as well as tails lights with a smoked-glass look.

The interior of the 2009 M-Class has been upgraded with new, high-grade materials that promise to be more pleasing to the eye and touch along with a new four-spoke multifunction steering wheel. Moreover, the luxury SUVs standard specification has also been upgraded as it now includes the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE and NECK-PRO head restraints as well as an all-new, high-performance telematics system developed by Mercedes-Benz.

Finally, the German carmaker’s engineers have tweaked all five V6 and V8 petrol and diesel units that are available for the M-Class (ranging from 190 to 388 hp) resulting to a reduced fuel consumption by up to 0.4 litres per 100 km compared with the outgoing models. (Opening pic modified by Carscoop) –Details and pics after the jump

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