2015 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Facelift Shows New Front End Again

With most recent spy shots of a Mercedes-Benz M-Class W166 facelift prototype showing a current model with unchanged headlights, some media outlets out there started downplaying the amount of styling modifications that the upcoming mid-cycle facelift will feature.

Well, you can be rest assured that a rather massive restyling regarding the front end of the M-Class W166 is coming, and the above photo represents a pretty good evidence of that.

While still heavily camouflaged, all the new lines and air intakes of the front are clearly distinguishable, a fact which sadly cannot be said about how we think that the new headlights will look.

Still, for reference, you can take one more glance at the Active Multibeam LED headlamps from the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV and you will have a clearer idea about their general contour.

The biggest mystery as far as exterior styling goes still lies when talking about the taillights, which don't seem to have even the slightest modification in any of the pre-production prototypes spied until now – but Mercedes-Benz could be bluffing in that respect as far as we know.

The new interior, with its Porsche Cayenne-inspired air conditioning vents, has already been caught on camera, so we are not expecting any surprises in that area except for the addition of a touchpad controller on the center console and a color head up display on top of the steering wheel.

As we mentioned before, a Plug-in Hybrid version has been speculated but nothing has been confirmed and not a single prototype of that has been spied so far.

The only new powerplant should be the twin-turbocharged three-liter V6 which will replace the good ol' 3.5-liter V6 in the ML 350 variant, the one that was naturally-aspirated, less powerful and more thirsty, so it will clearly be an improvement. The ML 63 AMG is reported to lose the Performance Package option and only become available in "normal", 557 hp and 760 Nm (560 lb ft) of torque, or S-Model variant, with 585 hp and 800 Nm (664 lb ft) of torque - or just enough to make you wave to a Cayenne Turbo S while you are losing him in your mirrors.

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2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Facelift Spotted With Minimal Camo

Earlier today we found out that the upcoming mid-cycle facelift for the second generation of the Mercedes-Benz CLS and its brother – the CLS Shooting Brake – will be unveiled at the 2014 Festival of Speed, at Goodwood.

The first official images and details of the new model(s) are expected to be divulged to the media on the 23rd of June, leaving us now with just a bit over a month of waiting and trying to curb our enthusiasm.

Until that time arrives, one of the spy photographers whom we collaborate with sent us two photos of a facelifted Mercedes-Benz CLS with so little camouflage that it might as well be considered completely naked.

Sure, the headlights are still hidden by carefully-positioned duct tape, but luckily Mercedes-Benz has already gave us a clue about how they look like last year, when they previewed the Active Multibeam ILS LED system - that will have its premiere on the facelifted CLS and CLS Shooting Brake.

Engine wise, there won't be too many novelties, with the only major difference residing in the fact that the CLS 400 will take over from the CLS 350, with the new twin-turbocharged three-liter V6 offering 27 hp and 110 Nm (81 lb ft) of torque more than the current naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6.

Though unconfirmed yet, the 9G-Tronic hyper efficient automatic transmission is set to be paired with more than just the three-liter diesel V6 (read: may be offered with gasoline V6 and V8 engines as well), as the CLS is also the first car to bring the new gearbox on the United States market.

We already know how the car's interior will look in the larger sense, and the biggest point of discussion will obviously be represented by the new and much larger free-standing infotainment display, but new features like a touchpad controller and color head-up display are on the way as well.

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2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS (C218) Facelift Unveil Date Announced

The almost endless row of speculation about the upcoming mid-cycle facelift for the Mercedes-Benz CLS (C218) has finally come to an end if we are to believe a German report - something which we actually do.

According to the usually right peeps from MB Passion, Mercedes-Benz has decided to unveil the refreshed CLS four-door coupe at the 2014 Festival of Speed, at Goodwood, while the model should reach showrooms in the Fall, starting with September 27th.

Despite the fact that the CLS Shooting Brake (X218) variant appeared about a year later than the “regular” model, its mid-cycle refresh will take place at the same time as its brother, with both models experiencing the same visual and technical upgrades.

Design wise, there won't be too many changes, with the overall theme to remain quasi-identical but a bit modernized and brought in line with the new Mercedes-Benz design language.

Borrowed from the A-Class and CLA, the “star grille” is set to also arrive on the two CLS models, while the front and rear bumpers will be slightly restyled as well. As a world-premiere in its segment, the 2013-announced Active Multibeam LED headlights will finally become optional on the models, following in the footsteps of the Audi Matrix LED headlights on the latest A8.

The engine lineup will remain largely the same, with the only major difference residing in the fact that the CLS 350 will be replaced by the CLS 400, in both “normal” and Shooting Brake guise. Powered by the new three-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that delivers 333 hp and 480 Nm (354 lb ft) of torque, it will also spearhead the 9G-Tronic rollout on other Mercedes-Benz models. Expect more details about the subject in the upcoming weeks, as we're nearing its unveil date.

Story via MB Passion

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Spyshots: Hyundai Veloster Turbo Getting a Facelift

Our car spies stationed in Germany have managed to take the very first images of a redesigned Veloster Turbo, a model that's coming down Hyundai's pipeline later this year.. It's heavily covered in two types of camouflage and thus obscures most of the big changes, but we can tell they will target the front and rear ends of the car.

In the past year, Hyundai has revealed a number of new premium cars, all of which are designed using a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 language. We think the Veloster will receive similar look, with sharper lines and an Audi-like grille. Interior changes are also planned and hopefully engineers will do something about that numb steering.

Although considered a Korean car brand, Hyundai has a strong R&D team in Europe. Their Frankfurt test center gave us award-winning models like the i30 and ix35, and now changes are being planned for the ill-fated coupe.

There are a number of different things wrong with the Veloster Turbo. First of all, the European models don't have that much power: only 186 hp, compared to over 200 hp that American models get. A lot of B-segment hot hatches use 1.6-liter turbo engines, but the Veloster doesn't have the direct steering of a Ford Fiesta ST and its fuel consumption figures are not much different to a Golf GTI's.

It's also quite expensive considering the Hyundai badge is not associated with fun cars. An automatic Turbo costs €28,630 in Germany, so understandably, most buyers look to VW, Ford or Renault for their small, fun cars. Hopefully, the facelift will make the Veloster more appealing.

Launched in 2012, the Turbo was Hyundai's first compact with a small turbo engine. Its main selling points are the shooting brake body and the asymmetrical doors, similar to the MINI Clubman. Turbo models have their own unique styling, with wider fenders, a more aggressive front grille and 17-inch wheels. Round the back, LED lighting and very large twin exhaust mounted in the middle.

Based on Hyundai's typical modus operandi, the Veloster Turbo should debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this fall.

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