AshleyAlissa

Excerpt from eMercedesBenz (photos after the jump)

When you look at the updated Mercedes R-Class, you’ll immediately notice one thing: this isn’t your ordinary mid-life revision. Mercedes knew the old R-Class design wasn’t working, so they altered it – significantly. The oval headlamps are gone; the grille that was proportioned way to small is gone; the severely sloping hood is gone. Replacing them, stretched headlamps that in no way reflect an oval shape; a substantially larger grille; and a heightened hood to match. If you kind of squint a little bit, the changes almost make the R-Class look a little like the Audi Q7. In the back, the changes are a little more subdued; however the taillights and bumper have both benefitted from a bit of tweaking.

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/m...etails-leaked/

yenlard55

big improvement.......but will people actually buy it or has its time come and gone? They have to market this beginning now.

chilledbenz

It's amazing how it almost looks like a new model. I'm not sure I like the larger grill though, it seems out of place, almost too big. It probably blends in well in person, but I guess I'll have to wait and see. Also nice to see some interior upgrades as well.

PartyVan

This looks way way better now. They should have done this from the beginning.

NorseWagon

Still ugly.....

Stuttgart-UT

they call it "R"... like REBORN!


I like it a lot!!

supernsx

I am so glad that MB is changing the front end of the R.

It took me and my wife two years back and forth to decide to buy the R because we just purely do not like the front end. Even today after owning a R500 for two years, we still find the front end "non attractive".

avlis

Much better. IMHO, MB is one of the few brands lately where the designs get more attractive with each revision.

rkao

I look forward to seeing it in person later this week at the NYIAS, and hope to get my wife to consider one and get her out of her minivan love fest! She currently has an Odyssey Touring on lease and it ends in 12 months.

Without the rear sliding doors though could be a tough sell for her - she's gotten use to the convenience of having them open remotely as she approaches the car when her hands are full with shopping or our two young'uns...the conventional doors on the R-class will probably be the deal breaker for her if there is one.

The second is capacity - unless the new R-class is significantly bigger in the rear with the 3rd row seat upright, that is also a likely negative factor in her books.

chilledbenz

I hope this is something they address when/if they decide to bring out an all new model. At the very least make it so the third row seats fold flat into the floor ala the GL or the mentioned Honda Odyssey.

Leenseen

For me, the grill overpowers the front end...

R KLASSE

I don't think you will have a happy wife if you swap the Oddy for the R. My wife and I went shopping for an Oddy and ended up with the R. I had to work on my wife for months to even get her to test drive an Odyssey. She hates minivans **Shrug** I sort of dig them for there upmost practicality. Anyway, my wife drove the Odyssey and complained about how big it was, she didn't like the brake pedal feel, said it felt like there was a problem with the tranny when the 3 to 6 cylinder deactivating mechanism kicks in etc... so we went and looked at the R and it was perfect for her except for that she didn't and even to this day hates the front end. Personally I like the front of the R on post 2007 models with the AMG styling, it looks very modern at least to me. Anyway reason I don't think your wife will like the R is see my wife complains about the huge doors on the second row, I only complain when a big SUV parks next to me and I can't open the doors. I would think if she comes from a vehicle with sliding doors she is going to let you know how much she hates the R the first time she has to use the doors on the second row. The only way you could have got around this is to have bought an R prior to the Oddy and she wouldn't have known any better.

R KLASSE

I still think 2007-2010 Looks better than the new model. The new squared off front bumper, enormous grille, and rectangle headlamps, rectangle exhaust tips etc.. clash with the swoopy roof and rear profile. The original design looks like the car flows from front to back. The updated R looks like MB grafted the front end from the GL on to the R and that's not a good thing. I do like that new two-toned interior and the new gauge cluster but I will gladly be keeping my 2008 and when I need another hopefully I can find a nice 2010.

allezdude

The front end looks good @ front view, but from the side it looks like a pickup truck front end was grafted onto the R. I'm thinking the drag numbers will be worse with this new design and knock down the gas mileage. oh and the headlights look like a copy from the new prius.

blair_mbz

Few more shots of the new R-Class I came across. I have to say compared to the old R, the new one is a big improvement. I think this next gen should be a more successful sell for MBZ. They can skip an AMG version IMO and put it in the GL. Soccer moms don't need to get to practice THAT fast

http://www.euromods.com/forums/gener...-released.html

supernsx

It is official now. Check out Edmunds for about 50+ official photos.

http://www.insideline.com/mercedes-b...w-gallery.html

Seriously, AMG or not doesn't make much difference compared to the new body style that is looking so much nicer and up to date.

BallJack

Nice. I want one. I'll probably pay a visit to NYIAS.

AsianR350

This website shows alot of better pics of the R than other sites.
I really like it. Forget about the people who has negative comments about the R.
It is a big improvement and it looks so sweet.I would buy the new R over the GL.

rkao

I think you've hit the nail right on the head...the large conventional doors will not work well in mall/supermarket parking lots or at the school for carpool runs when compared to the sliding doors round on the Odyssey or Sienna.

Hey, whatever makes HER happy right?

chilledbenz

That looks simply amazing!

melvinh

I like the new look of R. It seems the rear has not changed much. The new tail light looks much better. I wonder If we can replace 06-10 with the new one. I also notice the front is a bit shorter than current R. I think MB shorten it to make grill more straight and bigger. I really like the front end.

supernsx

I am thinking about to replace the front end too... but by looking at all the sheet metal and light need to be replaced, I bet it is going to be $$$$$.

jlbunting

looks good.

VelociRaptor

It does look good/better. The lower hood cover/windshield washers are a new design too.

rosswell

Wonderful job. Tighter somehow. I WANT a set of those wheels - similar to the optional GLK wheels.