2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class Revealed In Leaked Images

2012 M-CLASS

UPDATE: June 8 - brochure page scans replaced with official images. Scans remain in gallery.
UPDATE: June 9 - Promotional videos added.

Last week, BMW's September unveiling for its 2012 1 Series range was brought undone by a series of leaked images in the German press. 

Now, compatriot Mercedes-Benz has suffered the latest leak with images of its all-new 2012 M-Class SUV appearing online today.

Obtained again by German website Motor-Talk.de, the scanned brochure images reveal that the M-Class will drawn on the styling of the brand's newest models, while retaining its familiar forward-swept C-pillar design.

The new images follow spy photos obtained last year, featuring the new M-Class testing alongside the Porsche Cayenne SUV, one of the Merc's benchmark competitors.

Engines

From launch, the 2012 M-Class will be offered with two six-cylinder engines - one petrol, one diesel - along with four-cylinder diesel engine. A more powerful 4.7 litre V8 petrol engine is due to join the range in the year following.

Kicking off the line-up will be the ML 250 Bluetec, powered by a 2.1 litre twin-turbo diesel producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque.

Paired with a 7G Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive, the ML 250 Bluetec's fuel consumption is listed at 6.0 l/100km.

The ML 350 BlueEfficiency will draw power from Mercedes' familiar 3.5 litre direct-injected petrol V6, producing 228kW and 370Nm of torque.

Combined with a seven-speed auto and 4Matic AWD, the big six will cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.6 seconds.

Rounding out the launch engines is the ML 350 Bluetec, powered by a revised version of Mercedes' 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel, producing 192kW and 620Nm of torque.

Fuel consumption for the larger diesel is rated at 7.5 l/100km, combined with a seven-speed auto and 4Matic AWD.

Later in 2012, the range is expected to gain a 4.7 litre V8 engine, although figures for this model remain unclear.

UPDATE: June 8 - New images have come to light today, and while official details have yet to be released, these latest photos offer the best look yet at the 2012 M-Class.

Australia

With a September launch planned, the new M-Class is expected to make its Australian debut in the first or second quarter of 2012.