2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The 2011 R-Class is being touted by Mercedes-Benz as the new generation of its grand sports tourer, a.k.a. luxury crossover, which was first introduced in Canada in the 2006 model year. But the truth of the matter is that the 2011 model is basically a heavily restyled version of the existing vehicle.

These days, image is everything, and the R-Class definitely had an image problem. First and foremost, Canadian car buyers had difficulty figuring out exactly what the R-Class actually was. Was it a lowered minivan, a taller station wagon or a softer-edged SUV, all characterisations that seemed to fit the R-Class in some ways if not all? Second, the vehicle was very large, yet it did not have much road presence, which was largely due to its unassuming styling. In terms of sales in Canada, the R-Class accounted for only 394 units in 2008 and 308 units in 2009 for Mercedes. These numbers mean the R-Class was massively outsold by a four-to-one margin by the GL-Class large SUV and by a 10- to-one margin by the M-Class SUV for the last two years running, a trend Mercedes hopes to buck with the arrival of the facelifted luxury crossover for the 2011 model year.

In reworking the R-Class, Mercedes set out to give the vehicle a much more muscular look, while integrating various styling elements borrowed from its line of SUVs and cars. Gone is the soft-edged, almost feminine look and in comes the new bold corporate face with a larger three-pointed star set in a more upright and rectangular grille. The front end also features the sharpened edges of the new hood and front fenders as well as the now de rigueur LED running lights and Bi-Xenon headlights. The back end has also been redone with a revised rear bumper with integrated exhaust tips as well as LED tail lights. Inside the cabin, the only significant change to the R-Class is the adoption of a new gauge cluster.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Not too long ago, there was a time when all of the vehicles in an automaker's portfolio weren't required to wear the same uniform. Each model could be its own unique expression of the brand's strengths without being forced to schedule an appointment with the corporate plastic surgeon. Granted, some marques lost a bit of identity with scads of mismatched children running around the lot, but the world's automotive variety pack was considerably more interesting. If you didn't like the face on one product, but wanted to stick with the brand, there were a plethora of options to choose from.

That's not the case anymore. We live in a world of increasingly unified automotive design, and while that's resulted in a few products missing the mark in a big way (we're looking at you, Acura), just as many manufacturers have created some real winners by spreading the corporate face among its progeny. Dodge's decision to share the Ram grille across its line was one of the best moves the company has made in recent history, and Ford and Chevrolet have similarly benefited from strong familial design cues.

Mercedes-Benz reveals price of the new 2011 R-Class

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Mercedes Benz is currently accepting orders for the 2011 Mercedes Benz R-Class that has been recently launched. On offer are nine basic versions with the entry level model being priced at 42,000 euros while the top of the line R 500 4MATIC long-wheelbase version with all the bells and whistles will set one back by a cool 62,000 euros.

The new 2011 Mercedes Benz R-Class has several distinguishing features on the exterior, which includes a horizontally structured bonnet along with wings that has been redesigned, a new radiator grille and surround. The headlamps and bumpers have been worked upon too. Buyers have the option of a chrome insert that has integrated LED daytime driving lights as well as bi-xenon headlamps. The new 2011 Mercedes Benz R-Class has a whole host of safety equipments that come as standard on all models and these includes a PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system, NECK-PRO head restraint systems that are crash-responsive and as many as eight airbags. An in-built system acts to warn the driver if tire pressure deviates from the optimum requirement. The new R-Class also boasts of adaptive brake lights.

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The refreshed 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class gets an E-Class nose job.

Introduced on Wednesday: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Wagon

What is it? A hurried midcycle freshening of some of the more unfortunate aspects of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class “sports tourer.” Help couldn’t come soon enough. And apparently more than a “freshening” was needed for this styling bomb.

New York Auto Show: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The refreshed 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class gets an E-Class nose job.

Introduced on Wednesday: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Wagon

What is it? A hurried midcycle freshening of some of the more unfortunate aspects of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class “sports tourer.” Help couldn’t come soon enough. And apparently more than a “freshening” was needed for this styling bomb.

How’s it look? Hearselike — still — from the back. An E-Class nose job helps disguise the R-Class coming, but liposuction is still sorely needed to camouflage it going. Even with new taillights and bumper, everything from the C-pillar back remains wrong, proportionately. The interior, which was downright handsome in the lighter optional colors, needed little to improve it -– and that is what it gets. Next time, the interior and exterior design teams should swap assignments.