Mercedes R-Class Voted 2006 Urban Car Of The Year

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on December 14, 2005 at 9:30 AM CST

Although "urban" is not a title you'd typically hear associated with  
the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, On Wheels Incoporated, publishers of  
African Americans on Wheels, Latinos on Wheels and Asians on Wheels,  
recently voted the R their 2006 Urban Wheel Car of the Year.

The Urban Wheel Awards, which are now entering their 10th year, are  
highly coveted and widely recognized in the automotive industry.   
Held in conjuction with the North American International Auto Show,  
the Urban Wheel Awards are one of the auto industry's signature  
diversity oriented events.

According to Lyndon Conrad Bell, editor in chief of On Wheels, Inc:  
"The Mercedes R-Class is a compelling combination of luxury, utility  
and performance. The R-Class is unique and truly deserving of the  
2006 Urban Wheel Car of the Year award. It's a clear standout in the  
automobile marketplace."

Their decision to grace the R-Class with their coveted award came  
after a strenuous 12 months of testing, after which they found: "The  
R-Class merges minivan multi-functionality with luxury, and it's  
different enough from a minivan that it may encourage others to follow."

I still am a little hesitant about referring to the R-Class as  
urban.  You know what would change my mind?  The Mercedes R-Class 50  
Cent Edition.

I can see it already - bulletproof glass, armor plating, 23" dubs,  
plasma tv's, secret compartments to hide the dope stash, and of  
course, seating for five... five groupies you just picked up at the  
40/40 Club.

OK, maybe that's a little too urban.

To read more about the R-Class and the Urban Wheel Awards, check out  
the full press release click the link below below.

http://emercedesbenz.com/Dec05/14MercedesRUrbanCarOfTheYear.html

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


On Wheels Names the Mercedes Benz R-Class and Honda Ridgeline Its  
2006 Urban Car and Truck of the Year

DETROIT, Dec. 13
-- On Wheels Incorporated, publisher of African  
Americans On Wheels, Latinos On Wheels and Asians On Wheels magazines  
announced the selection of the Honda Ridgeline as the winner of the  
2006 Urban Wheel Award for Urban Truck of the Year, and the Mercedes- 
Benz R-Class as the winner of the 2006 Urban Wheel Award for Urban  
Car of the Year. Now in their 10th year, the Urban Wheel Awards are  
highly coveted and widely recognized in the automotive industry. Held  
in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show, the  
Urban Wheel Awards is the auto industry's signature diversity  
oriented event.

"The Honda Ridgeline is our Truck of the Year  winner because it is  
an extremely compelling combination of refinement, utility and  
sophistication," said Lyndon Conrad Bell, editor-in chief of On  
Wheels, Inc. "Its exceptionally innovative packaging makes the  
Ridgeline truly deserving of the 2006 Urban Wheel Truck of the Year  
award and a runaway competitor in the small pickup sector," continues  
Bell.

He adds: "The Mercedes R-Class is a compelling combination of luxury,  
utility and performance. The R-Class is unique and truly deserving of  
the 2006 Urban Wheel Car of the Year award. It's a clear standout in  
the automobile marketplace."

After twelve months of testing both cars, On Wheels editors found the  
Honda Ridgeline to be a remarkably fresh take on the traditional  
pickup truck concept. OWI senior editor at large Brian Armstead said  
of the Ridgeline, "Take the utility of a small pick up, the towing  
power of a large pickup, and the handling of a sporty car, and wrap  
it into one package. What you'll end up with is the all-new  
Ridgeline, one of the user-friendliest trucks in the game.  
Ridgeline's packaging is second to none and the in trunk storage bin  
is brilliant!"

The OWI editors also found the Mercedes-Benz R-Class to be nothing  
less than a reinvention of the family car concept. OWI contributor  
Arv Voss said of the Mercedes, "The R-Class writes a new chapter in  
the Grand Touring class, combining elegance, performance and  
functionality."

Chris Jackson, onwheelsinc.com content manager said, "The R-Class  
merges minivan multi functionality with luxury, and it's different  
enough from a minivan that it may encourage others to follow."

For more information about the 10th Annual Urban Wheel Awards, to  
obtain tickets, or to sponsor the event, visit http:// 
www.onwheelsinc.com , or call (313) 963-2209.

For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit eMercedesBenz at  
www.eMercedesBenz.com