Bigger mirrors and more like the C, the rear bumper looks to have reflectors like the GL and GLK, but if you look closely it looks like the headlights will have a step down like the GLK on their inner part.

Spy photographers have spotted a prototype of the Mercedes ML320 Hybrid testing in Northern Sweden. The gold-colored prototype spotted –now more free from the heavy camouflage and black-out treatment– gives us our best look yet at the revamped ML.

The rear-end displays a taped-over Hybrid badge, and slightly obscured tail-lights which appear to have brighter LED technology within the current model's tail-lamp housings. The rear bumper has also been reworked for a cleaner tail- end look.

The ML's new front bumper consists primarily of a larger center intake below the grille, and reshaped fog lamps, while the grille appears to be unchanged. New side-view mirrors round out the visual changes.

It appears that the Hybrid ML will utilize Mercedes 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 diesel engine, in conjunction with Mercedes new dual-mode Hybrid system co-developed with GM and BMW. The torque-rich diesel (398 lb-ft at a low 1600 rpm) already enjoys a strong mileage advantage over petrol-powered competitors, so the Hybrid model's electric-assist should be one of the more compelling entries in the growing ranks of the supposed new wave of green machines.