Mercedes-Benz R-Class updated
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Mercedes-Benz
2nd December, 2010
After a world premiere at the New York Motor Show in March this year
and the positive feedback received there, Mercedes-Benz is convinced that it is on the right track with the new
R-Class. A completely redesigned front section in particular enhances the overall look of this model, with styling
cues taken from Mercedes-Benz saloon and SUV models. The interior of the new R-Class complements the fresh exterior,
combining as it does the good use of space found in the latest SUV models with the comfort, high-class appeal and
prestige of classic Mercedes-Benz luxury-class saloons. At the same time, this new model retains the interior
versatility of its predecessor, whilst also benefiting from the robustness and all-wheel drive capability it draws
from the Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
R 300 CDI: V6 diesel with outstanding output and torque
The R 300 CDI delivers smooth operation and a huge torque rating of 440 Nm. This provides more than enough power
reserves even at low engine speeds. Generating 140 kW, this V6 diesel engine teams up high performance with low fuel
consumption and low pollutant emissions.
Geared up: 7G-TRONIC as standard
The R-Class is equipped with the latest-generation of the innovative 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission. This
seven-speed transmission now has new bearings and couplings, operates with different oil pressures and uses a new,
low-friction oil. These measures reduce friction and churning losses, thereby improving efficiency. The torque
converter with slip-reduced lock-up clutch likewise improves efficiency and aids fuel economy.
Simply stunning: the design of the R-Class
The latest generation of the R-Class features a new, self-assured appearance. The overall impression is
determined by an integrity of design that encapsulates the unique personality of this highly versatile vehicle. The
focus of the designers was the completely revised front section which, by emphasising the width and making use of a
horizontally structured bonnet, affords the entire vehicle a look which is as harmonious as it is powerfully
dynamic. As well as the bonnet, the vehicle's guards, radiator grille and surround, headlamps and bumpers with
chrome underguard have all been completely redesigned. Most noticeable, a chrome insert with integrated LED daytime
driving lights in conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps have been added.
Wellness programme: a relaxed environment for both longer journeys and everyday use
Particularly where seating variations are concerned, the interior of the new R-Class offers a great deal of
scope: in its standard form this vehicle is designed for relaxed, safe touring and can accommodate seven people.
The front seats are electrically adjustable as standard, and on request the front occupants can also enjoy actively
ventilated, heated multi-contour seats with memory function. The R-Class also reveals another benefit in the form of
its large, versatile luggage compartment: in the standard-wheelbase versions the luggage compartment holds up to
1,950 litres.
The bright, classic interior - which seems even more spacious when fitted with the optional panoramic glass
sunroof - makes use of materials and colour combinations to enhance the high-class appeal and quality of this luxury
tourer. At the same time they underline the sense of well being inside the vehicle which is so typical of a
Mercedes-Benz. Standard interior appointment is soft-touch ARTICO man-made leather-like material.
The R-Class with a personal touch
The R 300 CDI boasts numerous features as standard which help to make travelling both on long journeys as well as
on short urban trips even safer and more relaxed. These features include the unique anticipatory occupant protection
system PRE-SAFE®, a complete restraint system with eight airbags, crash-active NECK-PRO head restraints, a tyre
pressure loss warning system and adaptive brake lights.
The THERMATIC automatic climate control system is fitted with a combination filter to further reduce pollutants
which may be contained in the outside air entering the vehicle. As an optional extra, a THERMOTRONIC system
providing separate rear air conditioning is available to meet all interior air conditioning requirements. The
spacious glove compartment comes with the standard Media Interface (UCI).
To complement the extensive standard equipment, the R-Class provides a variety of assistant systems which push
ride comfort and safety to the highest level and underpin the vehicle's leading position in this market segment.
These include DISTRONIC proximity control, AIRMATIC air suspension with the Adaptive Damping System (ADS), or Blind
Spot Assist, which can make changing lanes significantly safer. Rear passengers, meanwhile, can enjoy their own
entertainment programme thanks to the rear seat entertainment system. Seat heating can also be ordered for the
second row of seats to increase comfort even further in winter.
As Australian standard feature, the modern LINGUATRONIC voice control system makes using the telematics systems
even easier and more convenient, while a reversing camera provides for smooth, easy parking or manoeuvring in blind
spots. As soon as the driver engages "R" gear, the image from the camera is shown on the high-resolution COMAND APS
display.
Comfortable and fully equipped
The new R-Class enhances the merits of this vehicle category even further. In addition to the fresh exterior,
the R-Class also impresses with a number of interior features in particular. These include the good use of space
found in the latest SUVs and the comfort, high-class appeal and prestige of the S-Class. At the same time, this
latest generation offers the interior versatility for which its predecessor was renowned, while also boasting the
robustness and all-wheeldrive properties of Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
A full complement of equipment for the highest level of comfort and comprehensive safety
The R 300 CDI boasts features as standard which help to make travelling both on long journeys as well as on
short urban trips even safer and more relaxed. The following is an extract from the range of standard
equipment:
Standard Equipment for MY2010 R 300 CDI SWB:
- 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive
- 20-inch 5-twin-spoke alloy wheels
- Automatically dimming interior and driver's side exterior mirrors
- Bi-Xenon headlamps (darkened) with LED daytime driving lights
- Blue-tinted thermal insulation glass all round
- Burr Walnut wood trim elements
- Chrome-look beltline trim strips, rub strip with chrome insert
- COMAND APS including Reversing Camera
- Dark tinted glass for rear windows back from B-pillar
- EASY-PACK tailgate
- Electrically folding exterior mirrors
- Electric rear vent windows for 3rd row seats
- Electronic Traction System incl. automatic brake control for downhill gradients
- Metallic paint
Simply stunning: the design of the R-Class
The latest-generation R-Class shows a new self-confidence. Its entire appearance is noticeably more attractive,
underlining the unique character of this multi-talented vehicle. The focus of the designers was on the completely
restyled front section, with an emphasis on width and a horizontally structured bonnet to make the vehicle appear
more harmonious, 'muscular' and dynamic.
Expressive: the new front section is full of character
At the front end of the R-Class, the bonnet, guards, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper have been completely
redesigned. Most noticeable, a chrome insert with integrated LED daytime driving lights in conjunction with
bi-xenon headlamps have been added. The character of the R-Class can also be underlined by the strikingly
contoured, chrome-look underguard.
The new bonnet has more marked contours, and is more arrow-shaped at the front edge. The wider, higher radiator
grille is more steeply angled, while the bumper cladding is more striking, with clear-cut lines. The side recesses
in the bumper, where the daytime driving lights are located, are spaced well apart and give the front section an
impression of width. The lines of the side skirts are harmoniously continued forward in the updated mudguards and
grille. The new, dynamic "face" of the R-Class is particularly impressive. The newly designed headlamps blend
perfectly into the front end, emphasising the horizontal lines. The "eyelids" continue the beltline along the
flanks, and are arranged above the chromed headlamp tubes to produce an assertive, concentrated gaze.
Perfect proportions
Dynamism is also the order of the day where the side aspect is concerned. With the coupé-like lines of the
window area, the luxury tourer distinguishes itself attractively from conventional SUVs. Eye-catching details of
the clearly contoured flanks include the larger exterior mirror housings, which are set well away from the doors
and are held by slim stems. The strikingly designed mirror housings in the vehicle colour have integrated indicator
repeaters in the form of a stylised arrow.
Perfect finish: the rear section of the R-Class
The rear section harmoniously continues the design idiom of the front, with a new bumper cladding, modified tail
lights, a diffuser and integrated tailpipe trim emphasising the width with more horizontal structures, as at the
front. The bumper also picks up the line of the side skirts, giving the effect of a continuous line running around
the entire bodywork. Tail lights with LED and fibre optic technology, new exterior contours and horizontally
arranged lighting functions lend the finishing touches to the rear section.
Please take a seat: interior appointments
If there were a versatility test for automobile interiors, the R-Class would undoubtedly be a candidate for the
top score. A wide variety of options are available when it comes to seat variations in particular: designed for a
relaxed, safe driving environment, the vehicle offers seven seats as standard, but four and six-seat configurations
are also possible.
Seating arrangement: from 2-2-0 or 2-3-0 and 2-2-2 right up to a 2-3-2 system
With three passengers seated in the middle row, this gives a total seating capacity of seven. Groups of up to
six people choose the popular 2-2-2 seating arrangement, which provides all the occupants with an individual seat.
The R-Class comes with power-adjustable seats for driver and front passenger as standard, while as an option front
passengers can also enjoy the luxury of actively ventilated and heated multi-contour seats with memory function.
The R-Class also reveals another benefit in the form of its large, versatile luggage compartment: this has a
capacity of up to 1,950 litres. Standard in the R-Class is EASY PACK tailgate, which can be operated remotely by
means of a switch or key, also makes access to the luggage compartment easier. This makes the R-Class the most
variable and spacious vehicle in the entire Mercedes-Benz passenger car product range.
That’s entertainment – telematics and multi-media in the R-Class
One particularly impressive standard feature is the COMAND APS system. This multi-media system has a 6-disc CD
changer, a high-resolution 16.5 cm (6.5-inch) colour display, a 4 GB memory for MP3 files (Music Register) and a
memory card slot (SD cards). COMAND APS also includes a DVD audio/video player and a compass function, which is
shown in both the instrument cluster and the central COMAND display. COMAND APS features the latest LINGUATRONIC
voice-operated control system.
Comprehensive safety concept
All models have numerous features as standard which help to make long journeys as well as short urban trips
even safer and more relaxed. These features include the unique anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®,
a complete restraint system with eight airbags, crash-responsive NECK-PRO front head restraints, a tyre pressure
loss warning system and adaptive brake lights.
Everything considered: integral Mercedes-Benz safety concept
The comprehensive Mercedes approach to integral safety also applies in the new R-Class. This trailblazing
safety philosophy goes well beyond compliance with standardised crash test regulations. It concerns itself with
all aspects of driving – everything that is important for the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road
users. The Mercedes safety concept divides these aspects into four phases:
- Safe driving: avoiding danger, warning and assisting in good time
- In the event of danger: acting in an anticipatory manner, e.g. with PRE-SAFE®
- In an accident: provide protection as needed
- After an accident: avoid even worse consequences and make rapid assistance possible
Comprehensive restraint system for the best possible occupant protection
Combined with the front and rear deformation zones, the high-strength occupant cell forms an effective basis
for occupant protection systems that include:
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- adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger
- sidebags in the front, and in the middle row of seats
- windowbags across all three rows of seats
- NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger (optionally NECK-PRO luxury
head restraints)
- 3-point seat belts on all seats
- belt tensioners and belt-force limiters for driver and front seat passenger
- belt height adjustment for the driver and front passenger
- belt status display for rear-seat passengers in the instrument cluster
The electronic 'guardian angel': PRE-SAFE® has a preventive effect
Occupant protection in the new R-Class begins well before an accident. The Mercedes-Benz invention PRE-SAFE®
is able to activate preventive measures reflexively when it recognises the danger of an accident, so that the
belts and airbags can protect the occupants to best effect during the collision. This multiple award-winning
technology is standard equipment.
PRE-SAFE® uses a synergy of active and passive safety: it is networked with Brake Assist (BAS) and the
Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)® - sensors recognise potentially critical handling situations and send
corresponding information to the electronic control units within milliseconds. These sensor data are also used
for preventive occupant protection by PRE-SAFE®. The PRE-SAFE® protective measures are reversible: if the
accident is avoided, the preventive belt tensioning is relaxed automatically, and the passengers can return the
seats and sliding sunroof to their original positions. The preventive occupant protection is then immediately
ready for use again.
Tradition: 40 years of accident research at Mercedes-Benz
This close cooperation between Daimler safety specialists, the emergency services and the police has a long
tradition: in 1969 Mercedes-Benz started its ongoing accident research programme, in which engineers evaluate
collisions involving the company's vehicles in the Stuttgart region soon after they occur – and in special
cases even worldwide. Again and again, the findings of the accident researchers provide important information
on components that can be specifically improved in terms of passive safety. The investigators have examined
around 4,000 accidents since their work started 40 years ago. Each crash is documented with an 80-page accident
report. This continuously growing database will enable vehicles to be made even safer in the future.
Manufacturer's List Price* (MLP*)
The manufacturer's list price (MLP) for the new Mercedes-Benz R 300 CDI (SWB) is from $92,200* without
options.
NOTE: * As always, the Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes the traditional on-road costs such
as dealer delivery fees and the state/territory statutory charges. Additionally, prices, fees and charges are
subject to change without notice.
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