I don't know which direction they should go with the R really. It just isn't needed really IMO. They need to make it full on luxury wagaon thingy or make it really practical and less expensive I think. Pick a direction to go in...lol. M
And how they laughed when BMW are interested in investigation of MPV type purpose translated to a more car like concept. Truth is this particular segment is one that is earmarked for increased growth of about 50% by 2015. Something manufacturers (premium) , especially those that have nothing in this segment are interested in filling the gap. Although it looks as if Mercedes-Benz seem to be using the same philosophy as BMW and re-inventing the concept but keep the flexibility , the purpose and space. But applying it to more-car like design instead of one box van with windows. Industry Rumours point to that Mercedes-Benz has plans for A-(B-Klasse) and it's GST series for the C-Klasse and E-Klasse segments. Just as BMW also has a strategy for it's sub-1 Family Activity Sports Tourer, 1er and 3er in the guise of Compactive Sports Tourer and Advanced Sports Tourer. It makes you wonder whether the R-Klasse was the right vehicle at the wrong time? and by 2015 the time for the R-Klasse will finally come? Audi will be next.
the difference is my friend, Merc does not go around lying about which cars they will do and which cars they will.. they make what the people want and what they feel is needed in the current market..Merc doesnt go about BS ing about this and that and then change there tune after some years....dont forget what M(MARKETING) was and is now....
a Mercedes Gran Turismo on the way? :t-drive: PREVIEW - 2015 Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse Recent inside information hints at the possibility of a major rehaul for the second generation of the sluggish-selling R-Klasse. Set to debut towards the end of 2014 or in the first quarter of 2015, the once-called Grand Sports Tourer could back up those fancy-looking classification terms for the first time since its launch as a niche model in 2004. That is because Mercedes-Benz plans to completely remaster the large crossover into a more dynamic, attractive and, nonetheless, versatile van (or further call it GT), based on the new E-Klasse MRA (Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture) technical platform, which is far more suitable and modular for such a vehicle, as to accommodate a whole array of interesting powering solutions (fuel cell, hybrid, electric or the conventional IC units). This way, Mercedes-Benz will put a consistent (and, we say, logical) distance between the R-Klasse and the ML-/GL-Klasse, seeing the fact they won't use the same underpinnigs anymore. Most probably, the new R-Klasse will take on BMW's 5er Gran Turismo, as this time, it really looks like the Stuttgart-based constructor will, for the first time, display a tough competitor for the Bavarian opponent. Mercedes-Benz-Blog -- Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz.: PREVIEW - 2015 Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse
SLS and R awarded. :t-drive: Internet Auto Award 2010: SLS AMG and R-Class emerge as the most popular cars Stuttgart, Germany, Oct 27, 2010 – Mercedes-Benz has taken three first places in Europe's largest public internet survey. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG even scored top honours in two awards, winning both the super sports car and coupé category as well as simultaneously being voted Europe's most popular car. The Mercedes-Benz R-Class also picked up an Internet Auto Award 2010 as Europe's most popular van. Mercedes-Benz-Blog -- Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz.: Internet Auto Award 2010: SLS AMG and R-Class emerge as the most popular cars
I'm a big fan of the R Class, I'd buy one if I could afford it, as a family mover it's just about perfect. However I think Mercedes made a mistake basing it on the ML chassis, it should have been spun off the E, it would have been cheaper to build, cheaper to sell and I'm pretty sure it would have been a success. I really like the render above, I would happily drive one..
Hey some good times for the R late in its life.. I guess it took a while for ppl to warm up to it.. Im still no fan
I rather like this one based on a c class, the c class van, by 2014 my wifes Touran will be 3 and will need to be replaced, if Mercedes build this I will take a serious look at it.
So will there be a new R Class? I personally liked te idea from the beginning, as it is a larger car than an estate, lower than a SUV and can be as luxurious as an S Class yet beign very practical. I like the R Class concept (shape) more than the 5 GT. I also like that it is a rare car.
^ Mercedes-Benz may not have decided yet? Previous rumors by Georg Kacher were of an E-Class LWB based R-Class successor, starting in 2015, 6 months after the present W251 R-Class ends production.
It will have hard time selling. Once the new A Class and S Class are out it will be very outdated, especially the interior and Comand System. If it comes it should maybe come earlier. In the same time the 5 GT also doesn't sell as expected. But this could maybe change with the 3 GT and attract more customers to this market, and so the R Class would be a sort of "S-Van." Looking forward.
^ new rumors emerged China reprieve for R-Class In the first official confirmation that the slow-selling R-Class will be retained, Mercedes-Benz chief Dieter Zetsche has said it will continue in its current form until at least 2015. “We need it for the Chinese market,” an insider told Autocar. Also confirmed in Mercedes’ growing SUV ranks is a BMW X6 rival, called the MLC. Set to be built in the US from 2015, it will receive a unique four-door body riding on modified M-Class underpinnings. Engines will include a 571bhp version of AMG’s twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 petrol unit. Other SUVs due by 2015 include a facelifted GLK, the new M-Class, a second-generation GL and heavily revised versions of the G-Class, in hard-top and cabriolet body styles. China reprieve for R-Class - Autocar.co.uk
^ The compact GLC is expected around 2014. http://www.germancarforum.com/new-mb-models-vehicles/20691-mercedes-benz-mini-suv-k-gla-blk-10.html
R Class is the best family car without going XXL like the GL Class or ugly like the 5 GT or boring like an A6 Avant or cheap like a VW Touran.
