Mercedes-Benz R-Class
R-Class meets Alinghi
Introduction at the Auto Shanghai
Mercedes-Benz R-Class scoops prodigious design award
Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen announced
the Mercedes-Benz R-Class received its most coveted award,
the “red dot design award – best of the best”. In awarding this
internationally recognised design prize, the jury is honouring the
sophisticated design of the R-Class concept, which offers
first-class comfort for up to six occupants.
red-dot.org
Mercedes-Benz R-class (W251) key data at a glance (starting with model year 2006) | ||
engines |
R350 268 hp (200 kW) 258 lb-ft 3.5 liter V6 (M272)
| |
length | 203" (two feet longer than first M-Class) | |
width | 75.7" | |
height | 65.2" | |
wheelbase | 126.6" | |
weight | 4841 lbs (R350 4MATIC) | |
cargo | 85.0 cu ft | |
eight way front bucket seats | ||
seats | 2 + 2 + 2 standard with second row bucket seats individually adjustable fore and aft | |
optional second row bench split 60:40 starting MY08 | ||
| 39.8" first row | |
headroom | 40.4" second row | |
| 37.2" third row | |
7G-Tronic seven speed automatic | ||
4MATIC® permanent all wheel drive | ||
towing | 3500 lbs (starting model year 2009) | |
fuel tank | 21.13 gal | |
fuel mileage | 18/24 MPG (R320 CDI turbodiesel) | |
wheels | 255/55 R18 all-season, 255/50 R19 (optional) | |
wheels R63 | 265/45 R20 or 265/40 R21 (optional) | |
Online Interactive R-Class owner's manual
R63 AMG 4MATIC with 503 hp and 6.3 liter V8, RockTheR edition
Codenamed M156, it is an all-new normally aspirated 6.3-liter
V8. The M156 E63 is being developed under AMG engine boss Wolf Zimmermann,
who is the mastermind behind the 367-hp normally aspirated (M113 E55) and 500-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8 powerplants (M113 E55 mL) in AMG models now.
Zimmermann also developed the 555-hp 7.3-liter V12 engine that powers
the Pagani Zonda S. The R63 AMG was discontinued in July 2007. They
are very rare, as MBUSA only sold 30, and only via special order.
Even more exclusive is the RockTheR edition, which was sold via
charity auction: RockTheR charity auction.
Mercedes-Benz presents the Eamesian Vision GST
In 2003 Mercedes-Benz presented the Vision Grand Sports Tourer with Charles
and Ray Eames inspired wood interior, designed by Mercedes-Benz Advanced
Design Italia.
The interior design competence center in the Villa Salazar in Como
selected Hand-finished Matte Burl Walnut trim for the Vision GST and CLS
coupe. "By applying the oil-modified resin to the surface, the wood obtains
a velvety, natural surface, on which both the structure and the pores are
visible and noticeable. The Purewood veneer seems to be authentic, giving
the same impression as touching a piece of natural wood that has been sanded
very carefully," says Klaus Villwock, Behr Industries Corp. The CLK thus
offers designo matt natural oak grain trim (W21), or the G designo matt
red brown cinnamora trim (ZG0) or natural poplar trim (ZM5).
Combined effort
The GST was designed at Daimler's Sindelfingen studio, which is
responsible for all Mercedes-Benz production passenger car vehicles. The
design team in charge was led by Steve Mattin (responsible for the GST program)
who was supported by Gordon Wagener (exterior) and Chris Benjamin (interior).
In terms of color and trim the Italian studio at Como under the leadership
of Verena Kloos gave some valuable input in terms of fine leather, aluminum
and wood.
The man behind the very airy and modern interior of the GST was American Chris
Benjamin, a designer originally working from the Irvine, California studio.
He used Alias software throughout the development of the cabin. "It was a
new way of doing things for us and a valuable experience in coordinated
action with our unit in Irvine," says Peter Pfeiffer. "It all went very fast
and without Benjamin's contribution we might not have finished in time."
Steve Mattin adds: "Chris did most of the interior data on the screen. After
seeing initial interior sketches, we asked him to come over and continue to
work on the program from here."
Final assembly of the car destined for the Detroit show was undertaken at Carrozzeria Stola in Turin, a studio Mercedes frequently uses to build one-off prototypes or concept cars. Many components of the interior, like the twin panels on the center console, the side air vents and even the breathtaking new seats, were only milled from data at Stola or at specialized suppliers in the vicinity and installed into the chassis which was built with the complete exterior as a 1:1-real world model three months before.
Interior surround
Sumptuous, hand-crafted materials underpin the exclusive furnishing.
There is a single solid beam of milled palisander wood that holds the
instrument panel. The wood is not painted, just polished with wax creating
a totally natural and warmer feeling more than a high-gloss finish does.
"The wood panels emphasize the architecture of the interior. They link the
center console with the vents on the outside which gives you a feeling that
the interior is surrounding you", explains Benjamin.
Overall the wood fits nicely together with the brushed aluminum panels and the light Ivory Nubuk-leather. As a world first (claims Mercedes) the leather of the center section of the seats features a fine fishbone-pattern, which was embossed by laser onto the very soft, velvety cow-hide which differs from smooth Nappa-leather. Says Verena Kloos, "This is a brand new technology that enabled us to create a certain design for leather as well."
Another pioneering material is the so-called "techno-stretch" floor
carpet: "That's a stretchable, durable and thanks to a Teflon-treatment
also a stain- and water-resistant material that comes from sports or athletic
fashion", reveals Benjamin. "You can easily form it over surfaces and around
corners." So what elements are Mattin and Benjamin most proud of?
They agree, the answer is in line with the holistic approach to the car they
have designed, "It is really about the elements that work together - a
successful combination of many things to create the unified concept of
Grand Sports Tourer for the 21st century."
Interior Motives, August/September 2002
RockTheR edition
Mercedes-Benz design
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