2011 R Class, built one today.

VelociRaptor · 09-30-2009, 07:32 PM

Too bad I didnt get a chance to actually install a part on it but it came off the assembly line just after lunch time. I dont have any pix but will tell you that to me it looks like a current model C Class grill with headlights simular to the GL Class. It also looks a tad shorter because the front end is more aggressive in styling and not as rounded off on the front.

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AsianR350 · 09-30-2009, 08:21 PM

Is this 2011 R Class? and next is my 2008 R Class for comparison.

VelociRaptor · 09-30-2009, 10:36 PM

Thats the grill and headlights for sure. The one today had 4 foglights/driving lights, two on each side below the headlights.

Kar don · 09-30-2009, 11:52 PM

Looks nice!

cyeung65 · 10-01-2009, 06:46 PM

So is this a 1st quarter '10 release?

R. Reyes · 10-01-2009, 08:28 PM

New model won't debut until '12 model year.

VelociRaptor · 10-01-2009, 10:47 PM

Dont look for it anytime soon.

hmp10 · 10-02-2009, 07:19 AM

Is this just a final facelift for the current-generation R-class? Or will it be part of a next-generation platform? On some sites, I've heard this facelift will be an 2011 model coming to dealers in 2010 and that an all-new R-class will come out in 2012 as a 2013.

Although I like this facelift, it actually makes the front of the R-class look more like the current-gen Honda Odyssey. Now there's some irony.

chilledbenz · 10-03-2009, 03:27 AM

Seems like every magazine and website has their own thoughts on when the all new R class will debut. If this new refresh is going to start hitting the lots sometime in spring, then I wouldn't look for an all new model for at least another 2 years after that. So an all new R in late 2012 as a 2013 model is sounding more realistic.

bzliteyear · 10-03-2009, 09:53 AM

I like the front LED lights...saw them first on AUDI, but now in many Porsches and now Mercedes. Funny thing, eventually ALL the high-end cars will probably have them...and the question is whether Honda, Hyundai, or Toyota will get the costs down low enough include with mainstream cars.
PL

cyeung65 · 10-03-2009, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bzliteyear

I like the front LED lights...saw them first on AUDI, but now in many Porsches and now Mercedes. Funny thing, eventually ALL the high-end cars will probably have them...and the question is whether Honda, Hyundai, or Toyota will get the costs down low enough include with mainstream cars.
PL

You mean like the Amanti:

http://http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotor...Q5fAccessories

troymir350 · 10-06-2009, 06:08 PM

According to a trusted source, the 2011 R "refresh" (that velociRaptor is building prototype phase vehicles) will be in dealers in 2010, likely summer.

There is no approved plan for a full redesign of the R on the next platform. As the M, GL, and R all share the platform and the space in AL the economics will have to be there for MB. And selling 10k cars a year may not cut it (my opinion), especially when they don't export many outside the US either.

bzliteyear · 10-06-2009, 06:15 PM

btw, I saw many R-classes in Hong Kong, and I think mainland China also like them.
PL

VelociRaptor · 10-08-2009, 10:47 PM

China just ordered 500 extra R's so yes they love them over there.

hmp10 · 10-09-2009, 04:25 PM

VelociRaptor, can you tell us anything about the interior changes for 2011?

VelociRaptor · 10-10-2009, 05:23 AM

Ive only seen two so far and its probably the same as the 2010 with suttle changes. I do know the liftgate trim is the same, I put that on one.

R. Reyes · 10-10-2009, 09:14 AM

Here's another shot from head-on w/ the turn signal on.

http://www.motorauthority.com/image/...lift-spy-shots

VelociRaptor · 10-10-2009, 11:33 PM

Nice!

mkaresh · 10-13-2009, 01:31 PM

I like the exterior changes. What might they be doing to the interior?

I'm sensing growing interest in these vehicles, perhaps because of declining interest in SUVs. Maybe the R was just a few years early.

R. Reyes · 10-15-2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkaresh

I like the exterior changes. What might they be doing to the interior?

I'm sensing growing interest in these vehicles, perhaps because of declining interest in SUVs. Maybe the R was just a few years early.

From what I understand, gone will be the 7-seat STD feature. It will be an option, but back to 6 will be OEM.

Colors will be reduced to Grey, Tan, and black (forget the actual names...).

So far that's all I know.

chilledbenz · 10-15-2009, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Reyes

From what I understand, gone will be the 7-seat STD feature. It will be an option, but back to 6 will be OEM.

Colors will be reduced to Grey, Tan, and black (forget the actual names...).

So far that's all I know.

7 seat option has never been a STD feature. It was added to the P1 package for 2008 and 2009. For 2010 models it has been dropped from the P1 package and is now a stand alone option. Interior colors have always been grey, tan, and black since it debuted in 2006. As for any interior upgrades for the refresh, its doubtful there will be anything drastic. The 2009 model year got the majority of the interior upgrades, but I wouldnt rule out a command update of some sort that seems to be standard issue with all MB's and maybe changing the seats over to the ML's seats as that was the only thing that didn't get updated in 2009.

hmp10 · 11-03-2009, 07:16 AM

Here's a blurb that appeared in this month's Automobile magazine:

"The Mercedes-Benz R-class, never a big seller, has in recent months seen deliveries grind nearly to a halt (only thirty-nine were sold here in August, against 1775 GLs). But Mercedes-Benz is not yet ready to give up on its six-seat crossover. Early next year, it will roll out a refreshed version, with greater-than-usual midcycle changes. The big update is a new front end that raises the hood about three inches, to make it look less like a minivan. Inside, there's a new dashboard, new seats, and additional driver-assistance systems. If the R-class catches on at last, Mercedes may eventually go ahead with the proposed follow-up, described by insiders as a kind of high-roofed S-class wagon. If sales remain slow, look for the R-class to bite the dust in 2014."

R. Reyes · 11-04-2009, 12:17 AM

Sales in Asia and Eastern Europe have been picking up since late '08 (35-40% YoY). I don't think MB is ready to call it quits just yet.

VelociRaptor · 11-09-2009, 04:06 PM

No sir. Body shop will probably be the first to hear on a drop on the 251(when it comes to workers) and its not even a rumor at the moment.

09-30-2009, 11:52 PM	#4
Kar don Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: GMT -8 hours Posts: 5,364 Drives: Mercedes-Benz	Looks nice! __________________ 08 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Iridium Silver/Black Leather - P2, AMG pkg, Parktronic, Ipod 07 Lexus GS350 Smoky Granite Mica/Ash leather - NAV, 18's, Sirius, AFS, ventilated seats, & Rear spoiler (gone!)

10-01-2009, 06:46 PM	#5
cyeung65 Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 243 Drives: Q & R	So is this a 1st quarter '10 release? __________________ Dividends in Arears 05C6 - 09R350 - 07Q7

10-01-2009, 08:28 PM	#6
R. Reyes Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 174 Drives: R350 4-matic	New model won't debut until '12 model year. __________________ '06 R350 '06 BMW 745i-sold '04 Porsche Carrera 4S-Sold '02 Ferrari 360 Modena - R.I.P.

10-03-2009, 03:27 AM	#9
chilledbenz MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,512 Drives: 2008 R350 & 2008 C300	Seems like every magazine and website has their own thoughts on when the all new R class will debut. If this new refresh is going to start hitting the lots sometime in spring, then I wouldn't look for an all new model for at least another 2 years after that. So an all new R in late 2012 as a 2013 model is sounding more realistic. __________________

10-03-2009, 09:53 AM	#10
bzliteyear Super Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Posts: 773 Drives: 2002 S55 AMG 1995 E320 Cab	I like the front LED lights...saw them first on AUDI, but now in many Porsches and now Mercedes. Funny thing, eventually ALL the high-end cars will probably have them...and the question is whether Honda, Hyundai, or Toyota will get the costs down low enough include with mainstream cars. PL __________________ 2002 S55 silver/blk vent seats/distronic/parktronic 1995 E320 Cabriolet black opal/beige 2002 540i Sport steel blue metallic/grey 2006 R500 pewter/ash grey previously: '00 E320 wagon/'01 MB E55/'95 BMW 525i/'00 MB E320 Lorinser wagon/'89 Porsche Cab/'95 Lexus SC400/'00 BMW X5 4.4i/'99 MB C230K Sport/00 Porsche Boxster S/'93 MB 600SL/'90 Porsche 928/93 Porsche 968/'90 Infiniti Q45/90 Acura Integra/'88 Porsche 944T/'83 Porsche 944/'82 Toyota Supra

09-30-2009, 10:36 PM	#3
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	Thats the grill and headlights for sure. The one today had 4 foglights/driving lights, two on each side below the headlights.

10-01-2009, 10:47 PM	#7
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	Dont look for it anytime soon.

10-02-2009, 07:19 AM	#8
hmp10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 30 Drives: 2008 Audi R8; 2004 Lexus RX330	Is this just a final facelift for the current-generation R-class? Or will it be part of a next-generation platform? On some sites, I've heard this facelift will be an 2011 model coming to dealers in 2010 and that an all-new R-class will come out in 2012 as a 2013. Although I like this facelift, it actually makes the front of the R-class look more like the current-gen Honda Odyssey. Now there's some irony.

10-06-2009, 06:08 PM	#12
troymir350 Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 4 Drives: 2008 R350 V4, P2, Blk/Blk	According to a trusted source, the 2011 R "refresh" (that velociRaptor is building prototype phase vehicles) will be in dealers in 2010, likely summer. There is no approved plan for a full redesign of the R on the next platform. As the M, GL, and R all share the platform and the space in AL the economics will have to be there for MB. And selling 10k cars a year may not cut it (my opinion), especially when they don't export many outside the US either.

10-06-2009, 06:15 PM	#13
bzliteyear Super Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Posts: 773 Drives: 2002 S55 AMG 1995 E320 Cab	btw, I saw many R-classes in Hong Kong, and I think mainland China also like them. PL __________________ 2002 S55 silver/blk vent seats/distronic/parktronic 1995 E320 Cabriolet black opal/beige 2002 540i Sport steel blue metallic/grey 2006 R500 pewter/ash grey previously: '00 E320 wagon/'01 MB E55/'95 BMW 525i/'00 MB E320 Lorinser wagon/'89 Porsche Cab/'95 Lexus SC400/'00 BMW X5 4.4i/'99 MB C230K Sport/00 Porsche Boxster S/'93 MB 600SL/'90 Porsche 928/93 Porsche 968/'90 Infiniti Q45/90 Acura Integra/'88 Porsche 944T/'83 Porsche 944/'82 Toyota Supra

10-08-2009, 10:47 PM	#14
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	China just ordered 500 extra R's so yes they love them over there.

10-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#15
hmp10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 30 Drives: 2008 Audi R8; 2004 Lexus RX330	VelociRaptor, can you tell us anything about the interior changes for 2011?

10-10-2009, 05:23 AM	#16
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	Ive only seen two so far and its probably the same as the 2010 with suttle changes. I do know the liftgate trim is the same, I put that on one.

10-10-2009, 09:14 AM	#17
R. Reyes Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 174 Drives: R350 4-matic	Here's another shot from head-on w/ the turn signal on. http://www.motorauthority.com/image/...lift-spy-shots __________________ '06 R350 '06 BMW 745i-sold '04 Porsche Carrera 4S-Sold '02 Ferrari 360 Modena - R.I.P. Last edited by R. Reyes; 10-10-2009 at 09:18 AM.

10-10-2009, 11:33 PM	#18
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	Nice!

10-13-2009, 01:31 PM	#19
mkaresh Super Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 517	I like the exterior changes. What might they be doing to the interior? I'm sensing growing interest in these vehicles, perhaps because of declining interest in SUVs. Maybe the R was just a few years early. __________________ www.truedelta.com More useful reliability research Price comparisons, quick and thorough

11-03-2009, 07:16 AM	#22
hmp10 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 30 Drives: 2008 Audi R8; 2004 Lexus RX330	Here's a blurb that appeared in this month's Automobile magazine: "The Mercedes-Benz R-class, never a big seller, has in recent months seen deliveries grind nearly to a halt (only thirty-nine were sold here in August, against 1775 GLs). But Mercedes-Benz is not yet ready to give up on its six-seat crossover. Early next year, it will roll out a refreshed version, with greater-than-usual midcycle changes. The big update is a new front end that raises the hood about three inches, to make it look less like a minivan. Inside, there's a new dashboard, new seats, and additional driver-assistance systems. If the R-class catches on at last, Mercedes may eventually go ahead with the proposed follow-up, described by insiders as a kind of high-roofed S-class wagon. If sales remain slow, look for the R-class to bite the dust in 2014."

11-04-2009, 12:17 AM	#23
R. Reyes Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: McKinney, Texas Posts: 174 Drives: R350 4-matic	Sales in Asia and Eastern Europe have been picking up since late '08 (35-40% YoY). I don't think MB is ready to call it quits just yet. __________________ '06 R350 '06 BMW 745i-sold '04 Porsche Carrera 4S-Sold '02 Ferrari 360 Modena - R.I.P.

11-09-2009, 04:06 PM	#24
VelociRaptor Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: the R and ML assembly line Posts: 139 Drives: 2005 C230 Kompressor	No sir. Body shop will probably be the first to hear on a drop on the 251(when it comes to workers) and its not even a rumor at the moment.

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