Mercedes-Benz R-Class Makes Global Debut in New York
 |
All-New R-Class Luxury Vehicle to Be Priced Under $50,000
NEW YORK, March 23 -- Mercedes-Benz is launching its all-new R-Class luxury vehicle at the New York Auto Show, March 25 -- April 2, 2005 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. An entirely new type of Mercedes-Benz, the new R-Class combines the sure-footedness of a four-wheel- drive sport utility vehicle, the versatility of a luxury wagon and the performance of a fine sports sedan. When the R-Class goes on sale later this year, its suggested retail price will begin under $50,000.
Seven Speed, Four-Wheel Drive V6 or V8 Power
Featuring the R350, powered by a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 engine, and the R500, with a 5.0-liter V8 producing 302 hp, the R-Class comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4MATIC four-wheel drive.
Three Rows of Luxury
The new R-Class is designed as a roomy vehicle with space for six adults -- three pairs of comfortable single seats in a spacious interior. The individual seats in both rear rows can each be folded down for added cargo space.
The R-Class is about an inch longer than the flagship S-Class sedan. As an indicator of comfort and roominess, the new model boasts 34 inches between the first and second seat rows, and there are more than 30 inches between the second and third rows.
Mercedes-Benz Safety
More than 60 percent of the R-Class body structure is formed from high-strength steel, contributing to the protection provided by the passenger cell. Front and rear crumple zones help protect occupants during a collision by absorbing and dispersing crash energy.
Building on the Mercedes-Benz commitment to industry-leading occupant safety, the new R-Class comes standard with two-stage adaptive air bags for the driver and front passenger, window curtain side air bags that span all three rows of seats, and adaptive belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all six seating positions.
The new platform makes use of power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel independent suspension, with double control arms in the front and a new Mercedes-Benz four-link suspension at the rear.
About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/ .
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050323/NYW001AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: Accredited journalists and editors can access this story, high-resolution photos and other press materials by registering at http://www.media.mbusa.com and http://www.media.maybachusa.com.