Watch your back, VW Cali: the new £50k Mercedes-Benz V-Class ‘Horizon’ is here

This is the stylish new V-Class Marco Polo ‘Horizon’ by Mercedes-Benz, and it’s a recreational home from home that wants to snatch the Volkswagen California’s throne.

Changes over the standard seven-seater include a roof bed, swivelling front seats and a three-seat rear bench, which sits atop a pair of drawers for extra storage. There’s enough room in there for up to five to snooze after a day of moaning about British weather too. In the cabin, not the drawers, that is.

Other features include a pair of 12.2in displays and a shiny new centre console. It’s a nice place to be - and it’ll be even nicer once you’ve toggled one of the 64 ambient lighting choices through MB’s latest multimedia interface. Provided you’re not trying to use telekinesis to do that from the drawers, obviously.

As is the case with these multipurpose vehicles, the options list is… lengthy. You can opt for a fold-out table or an auxiliary heater, with an external power connection likely to be another popular tick. Further customisation comes with the various trim packs, which bring different seat upholstery and safety systems to the fold.

Merc’s refreshed the exterior too while it’s been at it. See that dandy new radiator grille encrusted by miniature three-pointed stars? That’s framed by a new LED strip and a modified front bumper. Revised light signatures are seen at either end too, with an openable rear window rounding off the changes.

Power is still provided by a choice of four-pot turbo-diesel engines (161 or 233bhp), with drive sent solely to the rear wheels unless you shore up Merc’s coffers a little more for all-wheel drive.

The new Horizon (sounds like a mythical adventure game) will initially launch in Germany from a whisker under €59k (around £50,000) before making its way to a wilderness near you.