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First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better by a nose

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Wagon, Crossover, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Diesel, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

Not too long ago, there was a time when all of the vehicles in an automaker's portfolio weren't required to wear the same uniform. Each model could be its own unique expression of the brand's strengths without being forced to schedule an appointment with the corporate plastic surgeon. Granted, some marques lost a bit of identity with scads of mismatched children running around the lot, but the world's automotive variety pack was considerably more interesting. If you didn't like the face on one product, but wanted to stick with the brand, there were a plethora of options to choose from.

That's not the case anymore. We live in a world of increasingly unified automotive design, and while that's resulted in a few products missing the mark in a big way (we're looking at you, Acura), just as many manufacturers have created some real winners by spreading the corporate face among its progeny. Dodge's decision to share the Ram grille across its line was one of the best moves the company has made in recent history, and Ford and Chevrolet have similarly benefited from strong familial design cues.

Now Mercedes-Benz is looking to walk down the same path by spreading its upright grille to the 2011 R-Class. The move isn't so much of a shot in the arm as a shot of espresso for the Silver Arrow's awkward duckling, but it should help the luxury people mover blend in amongst its more beautiful brethren.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

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First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better by a nose originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant

Chris Paukert — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Daimler, Mercedes-Benz, Rumormill

Last week, we told you how despite the downturn, Daimler is upping its investment in the state of Michigan, coming to terms with the city of Ann Arbor to build a new hybrid and electric R&D facility. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the automaker is expected to actually expand its Vance, Alabama production plant.

If the rumors are true, the Mercedes-Benz plant (which currently builds GL, M, and R class vehicles) will benefit from a $290 million investment that is to begin within 60 days. The news evidently leaked out after company officials contacted the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority about property and sales tax breaks (which it apparently received).

The expansion news comes at an odd time, as not only has the automaker's sales been flagging in the U.S. (down 20 percent in February year-over-year, admittedly much better than the market plunge of 41.4 percent), but sales of Vance-built SUVs in particular have fallen off, with Benz responding by reducing the plant's workforce.

Automotive News says the expansion effort won't be completed until 2011, but word yet on how much capacity this will give the plant (and what it will be used for) is not yet known.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Rumormill: Mercedes-Benz expected to expand Alabama plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes takes R-Class down a notch

Chris Tutor — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

After selling only 18,168 samples of their R-Class in 2007, even after dropping the base price by $5,000, Mercedes will try taking the uber-wagon downmarket in 2008.

For starters, the cheapest R-Class you can get next year will be the 268hp R350, which has a V6 and does without all wheel drive to come in under $43,000. Originally, the cheapest R350 started at around $48,000. Other R models will retain standard AWD.

In the past, spotting a 500 HP AMG R63 has been difficult, probably due to its $80,000 price tag. Spotting one now will be even harder. All 2008 R-Class models will get the body cladding of the 2007 AMG (pictured above) and 18" wheels, but not the performance mods. No AMG R-Class will be offered in 2008.

The most expensive R next year will be the 221hp R320 CDI at just over $46,000.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mercedes takes R-Class down a notch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: BMW X6

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 12:13:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, BMW

BMW is rumored to be in the process of developing a pseudo-crossover built on the X5's underpinnings, but until now it was only gossip and conjecture. KGP Photography maintains that this mule is such a vehicle, judging by the steeply raked windscreen, higher beltline and camo-clad rear end.

Where a traditional liftback would normally reside on the X5, the X6 will have a more sloping C-pillar (think Merc CLS/R-class), which KGP suggests may draw a few styling cues from the Z4 coupe. The addition of camouflage to the fenders suggests that flared wheel arches are underneath, giving a more sporting pretense to the new crossover.

KGP believes that this is not the V5, a direct competitor to the Mercedes R-class, since the ride height and body style are not inline with such an offering.

[Source: Winding Road]

Spy Shots: BMW X6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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