With the clock counting down to the debut of the facelifted M-Class that could happen as early as the 2014 Paris Motor Show this October, Mercedes is gradually reducing the amount of camouflage on the prototype models – not that the exterior of the car sports any drastic changes.

In fact, the redesign on the outsides appears to be limited to the reworked front end that will closer resemble Mercedes-Benz's latest models like the new C-Class and S-Class with a tweaked grille, headlamps and bumper, along with a new rear bumper that encloses the dual exhaust tips.

Last month, our spies were able to give us our first look at the refreshed M-Class' interior that gets a new free-standing touch-screen for the revised Command infotainment system, together with a different design for the center console and steering wheel.

An updated selection of colors for the interior and exterior, as well as some minor economy and CO2 emission improvements to the existing range of engines, should be expected as well.

Will get nine-speed automatic transmission

Mercedes-Benz will reportedly introduce the facelifted M-Class in the fall of 2015.

Although prototypes of the refreshed M-Class were spotted numerous times in the last few months, it seems we will have to wait quite a while for an official launch as a German report indicates the model will be revealed in the fall of 2015 and will go on sale before the end of that year.

In terms of design, Mercedes-Benz seems to be working on an extensive makeover which will include a different front grille and new headlights with LED daytime running lights that will be derived from the C-Class. At the moment it's still not known whether the taillights will also go through some changes, but at the back there will be a different diffuser and tweaked tailpipes. The latest iteration of the COMAND Online system will be offered with the new central display which will also be installed in the ML Coupe due around the same time as the facelifted M-Class.

The ML 350 will allegedly be phased out to make room for a ML 400, just like the SL 350 was replaced with the SL 400. Power will come from a twin-turbo V6 3.0-liter delivering 333 PS (245 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque. According to the report, a new four-cylinder BlueTEC diesel engine is planned along with the 9G TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission as a replacement for the 7G TRONIC.

The ML 350 will allegedly be phased out to make room for a ML 400, just like the SL 350 was replaced with the SL 400. Power will come from a twin-turbo V6 3.0-liter delivering 333 PS (245 kW) and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque.