Autoblog

The R-Class won a design award, went on tour with the Rolling Stones, was dropped in price, and still sold so poorly that Mercedes admitted the car was a failure. Yet M-B head man Dieter Zetsche said the car isn't going away, so as one does with continuing product, the R-Class is getting some face and tail work done. Those who whisper about such things indicate that the car will end up looking more like the B-Class. We're not sure that will help it, since it looks much like the B-Class already and that car isn't exactly a looker, either. We think the R might be better served if Mercedes could explain why anyone should choose it over the E-Class wagon or GL-Class SUVs... and when the GLK arrives, well, good luck to you, R-Class.

[Source: Global Motors]

As consumer demand for thirsty vehicles continues to wane, Mercedes-Benz is being forced to slow production at the Alabama plant which manufactures their GL- and ML-Class SUVs and the R-Class crossover. Sales of Mercedes domestic trucks fell to 5,090 vehicles in June, representing an 11.9 percent decline from the same period last year. The move marks the first time in more than a decade of U.S. production, that the German automaker has reduced output due to market and economic conditions. The cuts will affect more than 4,000 of the plant's employees, and unfortunately will trickle-down to hurt the countless other companies who provide just-in-time components to support Mercedes production.

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

click above to view more images of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class

That the R-Class has not been the most successful vehicle in the history of Mercedes-Benz is no big secret, but after staunchly espousing its virtues for year, the automaker has finally admitted it. And as any recovering addict could tell you, admitting you have a problem is the first step on the long road to recovery.

Mercedes had pegged production of the crossover at its Vance, Alabama, plant at 50,000 units annually, with half of that staying in the United States. Last year, however, American dealerships sold only 18,000 units. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the R-Class "has definitely not lived up to our original plans."

Mercedes is planning a replacement for R-Class, and while it could retain the same big CUV/wagon set-up, the next R is more likely to take another format altogether. Mercedes biggest competitor at BMW, meanwhile, is evidently thinking otherwise with the X6 crossover it just unveiled yesterday.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]

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.]

With Audi and Mercedes rampantly trying to fill every conceivable segment, BMW has been stepping up development of its own niche vehicles, including the X6 CUV and now, a contender in the it's-not-a-minivan crowd, the V-Series.

The 3-Series wagon-bodied prototype supposedly foretells what BMW plans to pit against the Mercedes R-Class, sporting third-row seating and a somewhat higher ride height.

Little is known about the V-Series yet, but if KGP's spies are to be trusted, we should expect to see BMW's newest people-mover hitting the market sometime in 2010.

[Source: Inside Line]

Click image for photo gallery

For 2008, Mercedes-Benz has performed a series of updates on its R-Class people mover (Mercedes calls it an "SUV Tourer" -- identity crisis, anyone?), and as was previously reported, RWD-only variants are now in the mix. There's quite a bit more to the update than just that, however, and Mercedes is certainly hoping that the new choices customers face will help punch up the car's sales numbers. In the US, for example, the R-Class is down 38-percent versus last year (through April). Just in case variety isn't enough, the cost of entry is getting dropped several notches as well, with starting prices several thousand Euros lower than the outgoing model's.

The '08 R gets revised front and rear fascias, but the changes are subtle. In front, the round foglamps and trapezoidal, AMGish-looking surround to the lower air intake are the key identifiers. Both short and long-wheelbase editions are being offered, and new, more flexible seating options allow the luxo-MPV to haul five, six or seven passengers in comfort. Naturally, the usual assortment of creature comforts and convenience features is part of the overall package.

A range of gasoline and diesel engines is available, with Mercedes' 388-horsepower 5.5L V8 motivating the range-topping R 500 4MATIC. The only transmission available is MB's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed auto.The R280, R280 CDI, and R350 are available as RWD-only vehicles (In fact, the R280 gasoline-powered car is only available in this configuration). The 4MATIC roster is made up of the R280 CDI, R320 CDI, R350, and R500. There's no word yet on whether or not the ridiculously powerful R63 AMG will make a return sporting the new threads. Additional details, including the Euro price breakdown, are in the Mercedes press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Perhaps more R Classes will roll off dealer lots if only the rear wheels push the car, instead of all four. Auto Telegraaf reports that Mercedes will soon build the base R Class with RWD as standard, and will lower the price in a bid to change the SUV's fortunes.

As everyone is aware, the 4-matic Mercedes R-Class has not met with the success Mercedes expected of it. The car's massive interior is well-appointed, so the R Class' problems seem mostly due to style and price. An R 500 costs more than the much better looking ML 500, and only a bit less than the much better looking GL 450. Mercedes touts the Grand Sport Tourer's driving dynamics, but how many R Class buyers are looking for premium driving prowess in a people-mover that looks as unsporting as the R? On that note, the newer, less expensive R will come in for revised styling. The R will also have access to the 5.5-liter V8, but there's no word on which engines will go with the RWD models.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Leave it to BMW to, OMG, make getting groceries and hauling toddlers very, very sexy. Car magazine reveals an exclusive look at what should be part of the BMW 3-Series line up in the coming years.

The renderings of this new people-hauler resembles Mercedes' R-Class, although BMW's four- or five-seater is reported to be much smaller. According to Car, the BMW's maximum cargo space is only 26 cu. ft., while the seven-seater R-Class can swallow 92 cu. ft. with all seats folded. The magazine says the new addition to the 3-series will be closer to the size of Renault's Grand Espace which can seat up to six. Car magazine also made it clear that the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class wagon are BMW's targets.

There's no word on whether this new people mover will be for sale in the U.S., but considering the lukewarm reaction to the R-Class and Chrysler's Pacifica, our hopes aren't high. That said, Car magazine reports BMW expects to sell as many as 120,000 copies a year.

[Source: Car]

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class has received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award from the North Rhineland-Westphalia Design Center.

The R-Class was deemed worthy of the honor because, according to Peter Pfeiffer, head of design at the MB Technical Center, it creates "a visual association between the concepts of space, dynamism, emotion and speed."

Translated, that means that Mercedes was able to make a six-seater people mover that does not scream, "BOOOORING!" at pedestrians when it drives by. To be fair, the R-Class "grand sports tourer" (don't call it a minivan ... Dr. Z will frown at you) is quite attractive. Based on the number of them this writer sees on the road daily, it would appear that the buying/leasing public thinks it's pretty neat-looking as well.

Mercedes goes on to point out that the R-Class form incorporates design elements seen across the company's passenger car range. They use the dead-sexy CLS as a basis of comparison, which seems preposterous at first. A quick study of some side-by-side photos, however, shows that while the two vehicles are very different, they really do share elements that illustrate the family ties.

This is especially evident in the shape of the side glass, but becomes even more apparent in smaller details that are easily missed upon casual inspection. This meticulous effort to tie dramatically different vehicle types together is admirable, and shows just how much work Mercedes puts into its design. On a personal level, you may not like what you see on some models, but the sense of direction behind it is has now been made abundantly clear.

(Photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Mercedes-Benz appears to be achieving a modicum of success with its R-Class uber-wagon, and you just know BMW isn’t going to let its arch rival get away with it. Hence the RFK, which stands for Room Function Concept. We bring you this news from the German site AutoBild, but Road & Track’s June 2006 issue reveals the RFK will slot in between the X5 and 5-Series sedan in size and borrow components from both. Production is slated for 2008 with a 255-hp 3.0L inline-six and 375-hp 4.8L V8 available at launch. The boys from Bavaria are hoping to move 60,000 units annually, and since MB has already revealed a 503-bhp AMG R-Class, there’s no reason not to expect an M RFK at some point.

[Source: AutoBild and Road & Track – June, 2006]