Spy shots: 2010 Mercedes Benz R-Class facelift

Posted Wed Dec 17 2008 6:45 PM by Jeremy Weber

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

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.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz R-lass facelift spy shots

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Reader Comments

Wed Dec 17 2008 7:42 PM
NoNameDenton says

I wish Mercedes would just get rid of this thing, but oh well
Wed Dec 17 2008 8:34 PM
justinhk2000 says

can i get some reasons why you might hate this car? i'm just wondering
Thu Dec 18 2008 6:37 AM
NoNameDenton says

Pretty much a glorified mini-van
Thu Dec 18 2008 8:24 AM
www.mywheelsonwalls.com says

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.
Thu Dec 18 2008 5:44 PM
justinhk2000 says

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

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