The facelifted Mercedes-Benz V-Class has been revealed, boasting a refreshed front end, a new four-cylinder diesel engine and the availability of a nine-speed automatic transmission for the first time. In addition, various safety and driver assistance systems have been updated.

Up front, the refreshed V-Class adopts the Stuttgart-based firm’s latest design language, courtesy of a new bumper design and a diamond effect for the grille. For standard models, the brand’s trademark star is positioned in the centre of the grille, framed by two silver-effect slats.

The AMG Line package (as pictured in the main image above) is more aggressive, complete with a model-specific grille with chrome pins and a single slat. New paint colours and alloy wheel designs are furthermore available.

Inside, the updated V-Class follows the design of current Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles, adopting the firm’s signature “turbine look” air vents as well as new dials for the instrument cluster. Interestingly, the automaker has added optional luxury seats for the first row of seats, which offer a fully reclining function, back massage and climatisation “just like in the S-Class”.

And that new engine? Well, the “OM654” four-cylinder turbodiesel unit will be offered in two states of tune. In the V250d, the oil-burner churns out 140 kW and 440 N.m, while peak outputs have been raised to 176 kW and 500 N.m in the case of the V300d. The latter furthermore boasts an additional 30 N.m under hard acceleration (an "overtorque" function, as Mercedes calls it), facilitating a zero to 100 km/h sprint in a claimed 7,9 seconds (before topping out at 220 km/h).

The 9G-tronic automatic transmission will ship standard for both the V250d and V300d, replacing the previous seven-speeder. While also featuring paddles, the gearbox’s shift patterns can be altered by switching between two drive modes (comfort and sport). A rear-wheel-drive configuration is standard, but 4Matic permanent all-wheel drive is offered as an option.

Updated safety features include crosswind assist and active brake assist, plus the optional highbeam assist plus. The Marco Polo (pictured below) family based on the V-Class also benefits from the facelift. Mercedes-Benz says a new fully electric variant is furthermore on the cards, set to be previewed by the near-series “Concept EQV” scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.
Marco Polo

Original article from Car