MEADOWS OF DAN, VA – Mercedes-Benz has redesigned its GLK sport utility for the 2013 model-year, restyling the interior and exterior and equipping it with a new 3.5L V-6 engine. In addition, Mercedes plans to bring a fuel-efficient four-cylinder diesel mode, the GLK250 BlueTEC, to the U.S.

The 2013-MY GLK features a 3.5L V-6 with 302 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, start/stop technology, and a more fuel-efficient seven-speed automatic transmission with Direct Select and electromechanical steering, the company stated.

For the exterior redesign, the GLK features bolder front and rear bumpers, new headlights, and what Mercedes describes as a more “graceful” front grille. Inside, the dash features burl walnut trim across the width of the cabin and on the shift controls (which the automaker relocated to the steering column).

The GLK also comes with new safety features, including standard Attention Assist, optional Distronic Plus, optional Active Blind Spot Assist (which is new for 2013), and optional Active Lane Keeping Assist. In addition, Mercedes said Active Parking Assist is an option. Another new feature for MY-2013 is Adaptive Highbeam Assist, which uses a windshield-mounted camera to control the vertical tilt of the vehicle’s low- and high-beam headlights.

Lastly, Mercedes emphasized the driving characteristics of the sport utility, describing the vehicle as having the four-wheel independent suspension of a sports sedan. The company also said the GLK’s Standard Agility Control suspension that uses a twin-tube shock absorber equipped with a bypass piston feature that absorbs road noise and tire vibration. On rough roads, however, the piston isn’t used, helping to preserve the steering and handling response of a stiffer shock absorber.

Mercedes said the new GLK features more than 1,000 new parts compared with the previous model.