German Car Forum

First photos of what appears to be a test prototype for the future generation of the R-Klasse have recently appeared on LeftLaneNews website . From what we can see, the front fascia has undergone the first major retouch:the radiator grille seems to have 2 horizontal bars, that embrace the big MB logo located in the middle, while the headlights look to be more sporty and aggressive than on the current model, displaying a more angry stance. As a matter of fact, the most camouflaged section of the prototype is, you guessed, the front. However, some sheets of camouflage tape cover both the sides of the car and the rear end, hiding some portions of the lights. Previously, a new R-Klasse model was due for 2013, but as seeing these early spy pics, we think that Mercedes-Benz may unveil its GST(a.k.a. Grand Sports Tourer) long before the scheduled date.

Mercedes-Benz-Blog -- Unmistakable. Unique. Classy. Mercedes-Benz.: Early SPY pics of the future R-Klasse


Yes, the most unloved Mercedes-Benz of the modern era is getting a facelift, hooray.


M

Looks like SL lights and new ML63 Face to me. Interesting...

A 2nd LCI (facelift) perhaps?

Could be ...

Good that they are refreshing the front end, which is the car's weak point. Other than that I've never had any problems with the R-class. It's a good MPV.

Finally, yay!

Never understood why this car is so much hated.

^Look at the Vision GST and you will see why, they completely watered it down. My biggest hope is that they do something similar to the rear lights with the three distinct strips.

I'm just glad they aren't giving up on this vehicle. With the right look I think it could sell a little bit better, just a little. It will never be a hit like the ML and GL though.

M

It is obviously going to get the geometric treatment to bring in line with the rest of the Benz family -- which will be an improvement to the very peculiar front the R class had -- it was the most Chrysler-like Mercedes of all.

I don't think people hate this car. I think the R class came across as a good idea but failed miserably in the showroom. I think the major problem is that people in the US viewed it as just another oversized SUV.

In Europe, the situation is somewhat different. There are a lot of smaller and cheaper alternatives that offered more versatility. It was never a good idea to have three rows of seats in a car with swing doors. Getting in and out of the third row of seats is a pain in the rectum.

In Asia, the story is also different. Japanese brands such as Toyota (the Alphard), Nissan (the Elgrand), and Honda all offer van-like 6-7 seat MPVs with sliding rear doors that offers plenty of room, ease of access, and versatility. These MPV's are well appointed (such as reclining chairs) and well-kitted and offer decent performance with their 3.0L V6 engines. They are also half the price of the R Class.

They watred it down but it wasn't catastrophic like the SLR wich is a complete disaster imo.

You're right ..the GST really was an exciting-looking vehicle ....even if it did look far more like a Chrysler than Mercedes -- you are also correct bum-man that the GST is where we first saw those "strip lights"

Well i don't want to turn this to SLR debte but i miserably failed to understand why u said that about the SLR? MB wanted an ultra exclusive GT typical of Benz traditions and they got it,so in what way it was a disaster?

The watering down process is a disaster, the concept was epic, the production car a caricature.

^ I have some sympathy for that opinion shonguiz ....I felt much the same way about the SLR .....and the roadster took far too long to arrive.

However, I have come to like the SLR more and more over time. Has is ever had a bad review? ....I can't remember one

Well IMO the SLR looks even better than the concept,and hands down it's the best get-in-and-disappear kinda car on sale now,it is not a Ferrari 599GTB and was never meant to be,the car is as comfy as a MB sedan.A hyper GT MB style that's all

And Rob,the only -ve the SLR ever got is the excess wight that affect the handling that's all,but we all know why is that.

Well concerning the look, i think proportions are just terrible on the production car and some over styled details make it even worse, but what makes this car even less desirable is that it's the typical crap compromise, it's not a GT but not a supercar either. It simply fails where the Veyron superbly succed.

I think that is of course ur opinion

No pure facts j/k

The reason for the R-class failure isn't because of the looks. When the GST concept was unveiled everybody's jaw dropped, for the first time uber practicality and good looks were united. Sadly the R-class hit the market just after the SUV revolution began. Pre-revolution the Chrysler Voyager was one of the most popular family car in the western world, and now it's as rare as a Ferrari.

SUV falling down in price ranges just above 20k just leeched the sales from all MPV in the same price. Women no longer wanted big and bulky estates or MPV but told their husbands to buy an SUV instead. Expensive SUV like the R-class obviously suffered most since an Q7, ML and X5 offer almost the same practicality but looks a whole lot more cooler.

This is the reason why BMW is introducing the PAS which is technically an MPV with a slanted roof and BMW DNA. The slanted roof won't be a problem since BMW has noticed that people are willing to sacrifice practicality for appearance.

Wow, it looks like a major facelift. I can't remember the last time MB did this to a normal model (The SL is in a different league).

I hope they work on the interior too. Some more power for the V6 would be nice too.

M

Even with the camo, the front looks much better!

I really hope they get the front right, because otherwiase this is a fine looking wagon.

CLC? Seriously tho this looks like its getting the same verdict. 'not enough sales figures to justify financing an all new model development so a major facelift instead'.

^ the car is not even old enough for an all new model.

And Siko is right....it already looks better than before...can't wait, I like the R-class.