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Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz R-Class facelift

Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz R-Class facelift

Jeremy Weber December 17th, 2008 Jeremy Weber By Jeremy Weber Author December 17th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Sales figures for the R-Class haven’t managed to live up to the expectations of the German luxury brand, but Mercedes Benz is determined not to completely write-off its ‘Grand Sport Tourer’ just yet. The R-Class received a mild facelift last year to help turnaround flagging sales, but a second and more extensive update is in fact planned for the 2010 model year as previewed by these latest spy shots of a prototype caught testing in Germany. The first facelift came less than two years after the vehicle was first shown at 2005’s New York Auto Show, and was implemented mainly to increase the car’s desirability. A cheaper RWD model was added to the lineup as well as a more flexible seven-seater model, but other than that the car remained mostly unchanged. For the next update Mercedes will give the car a major styling overhaul with a new front-end planned as well as a slightly revised rear and interior. Expected to be launched in the second half of next year, the new R-Class will likely receive the same squared-off treatment as the rest of the Mercedes lineup including angular headlights and a larger more prominent grille.2010 Mercedes Benz R-class facelift spy shots
Expect to see the facelifted R-Class debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September

Expect to see the facelifted R-Class debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September

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Sales figures for the R-Class haven’t managed to live up to the expectations of the German luxury brand, but Mercedes Benz is determined not to completely write-off its ‘Grand Sport Tourer’ just yet. The R-Class received a mild facelift last year to help turnaround flagging sales, but a second and more extensive update is in fact planned for the 2010 model year as previewed by these latest spy shots of a prototype caught testing in Germany.

The first facelift came less than two years after the vehicle was first shown at 2005’s New York Auto Show, and was implemented mainly to increase the car’s desirability. A cheaper RWD model was added to the lineup as well as a more flexible seven-seater model, but other than that the car remained mostly unchanged.

For the next update Mercedes will give the car a major styling overhaul with a new front-end planned as well as a slightly revised rear and interior. Expected to be launched in the second half of next year, the new R-Class will likely receive the same squared-off treatment as the rest of the Mercedes lineup including angular headlights and a larger more prominent grille.
2010 Mercedes Benz R-class facelift spy shots
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Tags: Spy Shots, crossovers, facelift

Posted in: Mercedes Benz, Spy Shots, R Class


Comments (8 total)

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  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #1, Posted: 12/17/2008

    I wish Mercedes would just get rid of this thing, but oh well

  2. ma_justinhk2000 avatar by justinhk2000 #2, Posted: 12/17/2008

    can i get some reasons why you might hate this car? i'm just wondering

  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar by NoNameDenton #3, Posted: 12/18/2008

    Pretty much a glorified mini-van

  4. ma_www.mywheelsonwalls.com avatar by www.mywheelsonwalls.com #4, Posted: 12/18/2008

    Justinnk2000-

    My last employer had some as company cars and we always called them "Man Van's". As for me I like them but for the reasons most people hate them and that is that they are an obscure looking thing.... I guess you could say most people think of them as the AMC Pacer of people movers.

  5. ma_justinhk2000 avatar by justinhk2000 #5, Posted: 12/18/2008

    they're not obsceure, more of pointless. i like the design its nice(except from the back)

  6. ma_uied avatar by uied #6, Posted: 7/3/2009

    R-Class has a pretty side-view. Besides, I bet you will like the big R after you test drive it. That is the reason why I picked R-Class instead of GL.

  7. By  Mark Miller #7, Posted: 10/29/2009

    We have a 2007 320cdi and overall have liked it. What other car can you hold 6 comfortably, has all wheel drive and gets nearly 30mpg on the highway.

  8. By  sachs #8, Posted: 11/6/2009

    I have a R320CDI with the newer AMG package, 20" 5 spoke AMG rims, 295/40 tires, an added body color rear roof-top spoiler, bi-zenon, all dark tinted glass, every option imagineable (MSRP was $72K otd was $65K) w/all-glass top in a silver metallic. Beautiful lines, 23mpg around town all day long, 27+ on the highway at speeds well north of 80 mph, 4wd, etc., etc. A quiet, large (I'm 6'7") interior, limo like 2nd row and real seating in the 3rd row (not a seat on the floor). A very comfortable cruiser around town or on the highway -I really enjoy everything about this car/van S-Class Wagon!

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