MERCEDES-Benz has added a 2.8-litre V6 engine to its V-class people-carrier line-up and increased equipment levels on all models. Last year more than 1,000 V-class models were sold in the UK - which Mercedes-Benz says was above target - and in the first quarter of this year 318 models have been sold compared with 192 in the first quarter of last year.

The new 174bhp V280 has a top speed of 111mph, a 0-62mph time of 12.7 seconds and costs £28,290 on the road joins the 2.3-litre V230.

Standard specification in the V280, which is only available in Ambiente specification, includes air conditioning, automatic transmission with cruise control, leather seating, metallic paint, ABS and an on-board fridge.

Specification changes on the V230 Trend (£22,390) and Fashion (£22,590) models see air conditioning, dust pollen filter, heat storage system which keeps the cabin warm for up to 20 minutes after the engine has stopped and a Sony radio-cassette added at no additional cost. Previously the options cost £2,290. V230 Ambiente models receive air conditioning, automatic transmission, cruise control and a Sony radio/cassette as standard worth £3,500 but the price of the model rises £1,000 to £26,290.