The new R-Class Grand Sports Tourer from Mercedes-Benz

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The new R-Class Grand Sports Tourer from Mercedes-Benz

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March 24, 2005 For the second time within the space of a month, Mercedes-Benz is lifting the wraps on another brand new model series, the new R-Class, which is making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show. The R-Class founds a new and highly promising market segment in that it takes the strengths of established vehicle categories, such as sporty Saloon, Estate, MPV and SUV, and fuses them to create a new car with a character all of its own, a car that is all about the three Ds: Dimensions, Design and Dynamism. The new R-Class is being launched first in North America, in autumn 2005; deliveries to customers in Europe will begin at the beginning of 2006.

The novel concept of the Grand Sports Tourer caters to the needs of modern-minded people looking for a car that offers tremendous versatility combined with athletic performance. Quite apart from boasting ample spaciousness, exemplary standards of safety and impeccable comfort for up to six passengers, the new R-Class also enthrals with its beguiling styling, prestigious flair and, last but by no means least, its dynamism out on the road.

It was back in 2002 that Mercedes-Benz first unveiled this revolutionary new vehicle concept to the public; three years later the study has evolved to reach series-production status.

Measuring 5157 millimetres from nose to tail, the body of the new Mercedes-Benz R-Class is akin to a luxury saloon in size but is considerably more spacious inside. This is due primarily to the sophisticated vehicle concept and a dimensional design that has been ingeniously planned right down to the finest detail: around 64% of the vehicle's overall body length is available for the occupants, proportions that conventional notchback saloons are simply unable to match.

Dimensions: spacing between seats up to 990 millimetres

Consequently, standards of interior spaciousness and comfort are nothing less than first-class. Take the seat spacing, for instance, which amounts to 920 millimetres, while the second and third rows of seats can be separated by up to 840 millimetres. Moreover, the second-row seats can be adjusted individually fore and aft, thereby increasing the seat spacing to as much as 990 millimetres. The maximum distance between the second and third rows of seats (depending on seat position) is 920 millimetres.

Likewise, the figures for headroom (rear: up to 1027 millimetres) and shoulder room (front: 1530 millimetres; rear: up to 1514 millimetres) take the levels of space and comfort aboard the Mercedes-Benz R-Class into a new dimension.

Each of the vehicle's six passengers can sit back and relax in comfortable individual seats which offer the added luxury of armrests in the second row. The list of optional extras includes a centre console between the individual seats in the rear with extra stowage compartments along with large cup holders for holding both cups and bottles upright during the journey.

The separate DVD/CD player which is also available as an option gives passen-gers in the rear full control over their own in-car entertainment programme. Colour screens and earphone connections are integrated into the back of the head re-straints in front.

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