The newest iteration of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is due at the New York, but the pictures have emerged nice and early courtesy of the good ol' internet.

A much-needed bout of facial surgery has seen the revised R-Class gain a more palatable face. Gone are the gawky circular headlamps, replaced by more rakish units and a grille akin to those in the C- and E-Class saloons.

The rear gets some work too, with a squarer set of taillights more in keeping with the front's new angularity. The interior is largely untouched, though new materials for the dashboard and seats are a banker. The six-seat format remains.

More info will emerge prior to the 2nd April debut in New York, but we expect mechanical tweaks will be limited to lowering emissions rather than dramatically improving the drive. The line-up will remain, with the diesel R 350 kicking off the range at around £40,000.

Mark Nichol - 29 Mar 2010