After scans of the brochure for the new M-Class SUV were leaked on the internet yesterday, Mercedes-Benz has made the best of it by releasing a set of official shots and some (rather sketchy) details. For the rest of the nuts and bolts you'll have to wait until the 2012 M-Class makes its formal debut at the Frankfurt motor show in mid-September.
Mercedes has wisely decided not to mess with success: the 2012 version is still recognisably an M-Class, but has a bolder grille, more detail on the sides, new rims (of course) and distinctive, wrap-around tail lights that somehow manage to look like an afterthought.
The Stuttgart styling mafia were more adventurous inside the cabin, borrowing dashboard styling cues (including half a tree's worth of exotic hardwood) from the S-Class and stealing some ankle-room for a wider centre console to house an updated Comand system.
High quality leather trim with aluminium accents is standard, the panoramic sunroof is optional.
The Frankfurt launch will feature three engine choices - each mated to a 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and all-wheel drive - starting with the ML250 Bluetec, a 2.1-litre turbodiesel four rated at 150kW and 500Nm.
More serious grant come from the ML350 BlueTec, a three-litre diesel V6 that's good for 190kW and 619 Nm; calculations suggest a 0-100 sprint in about 7.5sec and a top end of 224km/h.
Petrol power is provided by the ML 350 BlueEfficiency, with a 3.5-litre V6 quoted at 225 kW and 370Nm. It's 0-100 sprint will probably be a little behind that of the V6 diesel but it should top out at about 246km/h.
Selective damping suspension is standard across the range; Airmatic self-levelling air suspension and dynamic roll stabilisation are options.
More options include night view assist with pedestrian recognition, cruise control with speed limiter, lane-keeping assist, blind spot assist, active parking and Distronic Plus.
The M-Class is built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and will be released in South Africa in the second quarter of 2012.