Brawnier 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class leaked ahead of New York debut
03-29-10, 11:04 AM
#16
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Brawnier 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class leaked ahead of New York debut
The R-Class has had a rough life. Not only did it suffer from odd, disproportionate styling, but Mercedes-Benz never really marketed the vehicle the way that it should have, choosing to position it as a "sports tourer," rather than the obvious upscale family hauler that it is. Dismal sales ensued. Makes sense, then, that the 2011 R-Class benefits from a slightly more comprehensive overhaul than the standard mid-cycle refresh usually entails.
Right away, we must say that the R-Class's new schnoz is a giant leap forward from drooping proboscis of the outgoing car. New, more chiseled headlamps accent a larger, more upright grille and a less angular hood. The revised lower fascia features the automaker's new quad foglight design – something we've already seen on the E- and GL-Class. Not much has been changed out back, save the standard mid-cycle enhancements (revised taillights and a tweaked bumper).
Interior changes are minimal, which is fine, since we've never really had a problem with the sports tourer people mover's cabin. Look for the typical array of Mercedes-Benz technology features, as well as a new AMG sport interior, which includes different seats, a better steering wheel with shift paddles, a new lighting package, and stainless steel pedals. As for powertrains, we expect the standard V6 engines – both petrol and diesel – to be offered. Us? We're secretly crossing our fingers for the return of the R63 AMG.
Check back later this week for full details from the New York Auto Show. In the meantime, click through the gallery below to see preview shots of the new R-Class. Hat tip to Ashley!
The R-Class has had a rough life. Not only did it suffer from odd, disproportionate styling, but Mercedes-Benz never really marketed the vehicle the way that it should have, choosing to position it as a "sports tourer," rather than the obvious upscale family hauler that it is. Dismal sales ensued. Makes sense, then, that the 2011 R-Class benefits from a slightly more comprehensive overhaul than the standard mid-cycle refresh usually entails.
Right away, we must say that the R-Class's new schnoz is a giant leap forward from drooping proboscis of the outgoing car. New, more chiseled headlamps accent a larger, more upright grille and a less angular hood. The revised lower fascia features the automaker's new quad foglight design – something we've already seen on the E- and GL-Class. Not much has been changed out back, save the standard mid-cycle enhancements (revised taillights and a tweaked bumper).
Interior changes are minimal, which is fine, since we've never really had a problem with the sports tourer people mover's cabin. Look for the typical array of Mercedes-Benz technology features, as well as a new AMG sport interior, which includes different seats, a better steering wheel with shift paddles, a new lighting package, and stainless steel pedals. As for powertrains, we expect the standard V6 engines – both petrol and diesel – to be offered. Us? We're secretly crossing our fingers for the return of the R63 AMG.
Check back later this week for full details from the New York Auto Show. In the meantime, click through the gallery below to see preview shots of the new R-Class. Hat tip to Ashley!
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/28/b...-new-york-deb/
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011...***-preview/#2
I've never really been a fan of the R-Class, but between this and the current generation I do think it's an improvement. The return of a V8 and or AMG variant would be nice
03-29-10, 04:53 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
kill it!
kill it in a fire !!
i saw this and reacted WTF? gen 2?
I can't tell what's a hyundai and what's a benz anymore. They all have teh same styling, character lines, etc etc
kill it in a fire !!
i saw this and reacted WTF? gen 2?
I can't tell what's a hyundai and what's a benz anymore. They all have teh same styling, character lines, etc etc
03-29-10, 05:50 PM
#18
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Hyundai is ripping all their styling straight from Mercedes and Lexus
03-29-10, 09:40 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
03-29-10, 09:55 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Anyhow, Mercedes seems to have been all over the place with the R-Class in the last 12-18 months or so. There has been talk of everything from dropping it from the American market (because of low sales) to not only keeping it here, but even adding an AMG version. This article, of course, adds even more speculation.
In the past, I think that one thing that kept the R sales down in America was that the Chrysler Pacifica (with Chrysler, of course, then-being under M-B ownership) gave it some competition, even though the Pacifica was less-expensive and less-prestigious. Both vehicles were (roughly) the same size and shared the 2+2+2 interior seating layout...an unusual layout that was shared, in that size class, only by those two vehicles. The smaller Mazda5 also shared the 2+2+2 layout, but, as stated, in a much smaller/lower-cost size, and without the interior room. The Pacifica, of course, has been discontinued, and that, recently, has opened up the door for more R-Class sales. But, even so, here in the D.C. Metro area, you still don't see much of either the Pacifica or R-Class. (At one time, I thought that both even shared the same platform, but both the Chrysler and Mercedes people said no).
In the past, I think that one thing that kept the R sales down in America was that the Chrysler Pacifica (with Chrysler, of course, then-being under M-B ownership) gave it some competition, even though the Pacifica was less-expensive and less-prestigious. Both vehicles were (roughly) the same size and shared the 2+2+2 interior seating layout...an unusual layout that was shared, in that size class, only by those two vehicles. The smaller Mazda5 also shared the 2+2+2 layout, but, as stated, in a much smaller/lower-cost size, and without the interior room. The Pacifica, of course, has been discontinued, and that, recently, has opened up the door for more R-Class sales. But, even so, here in the D.C. Metro area, you still don't see much of either the Pacifica or R-Class. (At one time, I thought that both even shared the same platform, but both the Chrysler and Mercedes people said no).
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-29-10 at 09:59 PM.
03-29-10, 10:31 PM
#23
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03-29-10, 10:33 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
Lolz no love for the R class in here?
I for one like it (esp with this major facelift). Go R class.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003292...sed/highphotos
I can't see why people would not like this MB vehicle though.
I for one like it (esp with this major facelift). Go R class.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003292...sed/highphotos
I can't see why people would not like this MB vehicle though.
03-29-10, 10:35 PM
#25
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I think the R-klasse is a good idea, but it's fighting a horribly uphill battle in North America. There is just always a more appropriate choice to fit what the North American wants. In Europe however, since (North American) mini-vans are increadibly unpopular, and a MB would be more of a domestic, it would certainly have better sales numbers.
03-29-10, 11:44 PM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Not bad. Not good either. The interior dash area looks like tupperwear or something by rubbermaid. The floating binnacle screams economy car. I wonder how these things pass...
03-30-10, 07:51 AM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Some manufacturers still choose to participate for the ugliest car on the market award, with the Fit in play.
