R-Class Design

R-Class Design

Mercedes-Benz is launching a new class of vehicles and a brand new way for six adults to travel. The all-new R-Class combines the distinct advantages of several disparate vehicles – the sure-footedness of a four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle, the performance and comfort of a fine sports sedan and the versatility of a luxury wagon. Innovative design and useful technology now make possible an automotive decathlete – a vehicle that can excel at an unprecedented range of owner needs.

 

Three Rows of Luxury… With a sharp focus on design, comfort, space and performance, the new R-Class is designed as a roomy vehicle with space for six adults – three pairs of comfortable single seats in a spacious interior. The new R-Class is about five inches longer than a Cadillac Escalade and ten inches longer than a Cadillac SRX, giving it the commanding size that U.S. customers want. With an optional panoramic sunroof, the new R-Class provides an unprecedented sense of interior space.

 

Create Your Own Environment… The R-Class allows each occupant to create their own sense of space with features such as individual reading lights, armrests, air vents and cup holders as well as seat adjustments for each seat and two separate-source audio plugs. This individualization is further enhanced with options such as an iPod integration kit or dual-screen video entertainment system.

And, everybody has a window seat! The front row of the new R-Class can be compared to first-class seating, with business-class seating in the second and third rows. Add the optional panoramic sunroof, and the overall sense of interior space in the new R-Class is unprecedented.

In comparison to other Mercedes-Benz models, the R-Class is the same length as the flagship S-Class sedan. As an indicator of comfort and roominess, cabin space in the new R-Class represents 65 percent of its total volume, and there’s up to 40 inches between the first and second seat rows, with more than 30 inches between the second and third rows. With rear seats down, the R-Class boasts a class-leading 85.0 cubic feet of cargo room.

The R-Class cockpit features a four-spoke multifunction steering wheel with brushed aluminum accents on the lower spokes. The instrument binnacle is designed with large chronometer gauges, and the console houses climate control and a modular COMAND unit that integrates audio with the optional navigation and telephone.

 

It’s a Concert Hall, Too… The standard R-Class audio system uses eight speakers, and an optional harmon kardon surround-sound system features eleven speakers, plus a sub-woofer. The audio system includes AM/FM/weatherband radio and a single-slot CD as well as optional satellite radio. A six-disc CD changer in the glove box (optional on the R350, standard on the R500) includes an auxiliary plug that allows MP3 devices to be played through the car’s audio system, and an optional kit allows most iPod units to connect to the car as well. iPod titles and play lists appear in the COMAND and dash displays. Separate audio plugs allow front occupants to listen to one source, while 2 nd-row passengers can listen to a separate source.

 

Where’s the Shift Lever? Unlike most vehicles, there’s no shift lever dominating the center console of the new R-Class. Thanks to the latest electronic technology, a small stalk on the right side of the steering column now serves the purpose.

Shifting the seven-speed automatic is simpler than ever -- lift the stalk up for reverse, push down for drive, and push a button on the end for park. Once underway, pushing one of the shift buttons on the back of the steering wheel provides Touch Shift manual gear changes.

 

Mercedes-Benz Safety… The new R-Class features unit body construction with front and rear crumple zones that help protect occupants during a collision by absorbing and dispersing crash energy. More than 60 percent of the body structure is now formed from high-strength steel, and its “dual-phase” steel alloy even falls into the very-high-strength category, contributing to the protection provided by the passenger cell.

Every body panel in the new R-Class is zinc-galvanized and coated on both sides with rust-preventing zinc pigments. A six-section plastic undercladding provides protection against stones, water and dirt, eliminating the need for any conventional PVC undercoating. Substantial wheel-well cladding (1/8-inch thick) also helps protect against stones and gravel.

The new R-Class comes with two-stage adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, window curtain side airbags that span all three rows of seats, and adaptive belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all six seating positions. The R-Class also comes with a number of Mercedes-Benz active-safety innovations:

• ABS anti-lock brakes , which help maintain steering control during emergency braking
• ESP stability control , technology that has been shown in government studies to reduce single-car accidents by up to 67 percent! ESP senses skids, then reacts in a split-second to help restore control by applying the brakes on one or more wheels.
• Four-wheel traction control that’s integrated with the 4MATIC four-wheel drive; counters wheelspin by applying brakes individually.
• Brake Assist , which can shorten stopping distances by sensing emergency braking and automatically applying full-power brake force.

 

Chassis like a Sports Car… The new platform makes use of power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel independent suspension with double control arms in the front and a new four-link suspension at the rear. Ample braking is provided by large four-wheel disc brakes with vented discs and double-piston calipers up front. The R350 has

17-inch seven-spoke light-alloy wheels shod with 235 / 65 R 17 tires, and the R500 comes with 18-inch wheels fitted with 255 / 55 R 18 tires. Either model can be ordered with an AMG sport package that includes 19-inch wheels and tires.

For additional information, please visit DaimlerChrysler or Mercedes-Benz U.S.A.