Bulgaria’s Vilner Dresses Up Mercedes ML 350

In its latest tune, Bulgarian custom studio Vilner is taking a shot at the current generation of the Mercedes-Benz ML 350 with a purely cosmetic package leaving the mechanical hardware intact.

Vilner’s exterior modifications are rather subtle being limited to the new custom made headlamps housing LED lights and the replacement of all chrome plated elements with new black chrome parts, including the alloy wheels.

More attention was paid to the interior with the dashboard, the upper and lower parts of the door panels, seat bases, roof and even the rear-view mirror being dressed in Alcantara. The same material can also be found on the central parts of the seats that are trimmed in high-quality leather. Vilner also replaced the standard mahogany decorations with silver carbon and re-trimmed the steering wheel and instrument panel surround.

Moreover, the new gauge meters are handmade while Vilner finished the tune with an ambient illumination on the doors.

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SCOOP: 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML Drops More Camo, Reveals Interior

These are the clearest spy photos yet of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML, which was caught testing in Germany with minimal camouflage ahead of its market launch later this year.

The new ML could easily be mistaken for a facelift version of the current model as Mercedes-Benz’s styling approach follows an evolutionary path. A closer look reveals a slightly boxier shape with more sculpted lines and new details such as the longer tail lamps and a more angular grille up front.

The interior shots snagged by our scoop photographers show a completely redesigned dashboard with a prominent center console featuring new switchgear and a large LCD screen for the infotainment system.

Underneath the skin, the 2012 ML shares its chassis with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango models as one of the last remnants from the former Daimler-Chrysler partnership.

At launch, we expect to see Mercedes’ latest gasoline engines including the 3.5-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 units along with the usual array of V6 diesel options. A next-generation hybrid powertrain with plug-in capability is also said to be in the cards, while a flagship AMG model sporting the German firm's newly developed 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in place of the current version’s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter lump will follow shortly after the presentation of the standard ML.

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