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Melbourne – The North Rhineland-Westphalia Design Center has
announced that the Mercedes-Benz R-Class is to receive 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 vehicle concept, which offers first-class comfort for up to six
occupants. The R-Class represents an exciting blend of functionality, dynamism
and elegance. It now assumes a confident position in the model range alongside
the four-door CLS-Class Coupé, which Mercedes-Benz presented as a new vehicle
concept two years ago and which has since enjoyed worldwide acclaim.
Producing new, innovative vehicle concepts with eye-catching design is a
long-standing tradition at Mercedes-Benz. Both the four-door CLS-Class – the
first model to combine the athletic excitement of a coupé with the practical
qualities of a saloon – and the R-Class, which combines top-grade comfort with a
new, distinctive SUV design, are design trendsetters which are shaping the face
of vehicle design in the future. “In producing the R-Class, we are the first
manufacturer to create a visual association between the concepts of space,
dynamism, emotion and speed,” explains Professor h.c. Peter Pfeiffer, Head of
Design at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center. “This is a unique achievement.”
In spite of the spacious interior design of the R-Class, Mercedes designers
succeeded in aligning distinctive athletic qualities with sleek elegance. The
new Mercedes model is proof that exciting, emotional design is not a size issue.
The “red dot design award” is one of the most prestigious awards of its kind
worldwide. There were a record 2068 entries from 41 countries for the “red dot
design award 2006”. A total of 485 products in twelve categories were awarded
the “red dot”. Only 36 products received the coveted “best of the best” award,
including the Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
Powerful interplay between lines and surfaces as a typical design feature
Design is a Mercedes-Benz trademark. The lines used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles
not only stimulate enthusiasm for the products themselves, they also reflect the
philosophy and profile of the Stuttgart brand. The design expresses brand values
in visual form – and at the same time also characterises them. “Every model
should offer a new perspective,” adds Design head Peter Pfeiffer. This credo
applies to both the new R-Class and the four-door CLS-Class Coupé, which
Mercedes-Benz launched as a new vehicle concept in 2004.
Despite the obvious differences between the R-Class and CLS-Class, the two
models share the same spirit. They represent the pinnacle of vehicle design –
design that subconsciously arouses a passion for driving.
The design idiom for both models offers an individual interpretation of the
established family characteristics of contemporary Mercedes design. This
includes above all the effective interplay between tautly drawn lines and
tranquil surfaces. The distinctive roofline of the R-Class, which spans the body
and defines the line of the D-pillar, intentionally creates associations with
the lines of a Coupé and makes for an elegant, extended silhouette. The
character line also comes into play here. It structures the flanks of the
CLS-Class and R-Class and delineates light and shade between convex and concave
door surfaces. The character line extends to the rear end of the vehicle and
merges there with the rear light cluster, which continues the flow of the
character line.
Another feature shared by CLS-Class and R-Class is the louvred radiator
grille with the centrally positioned Mercedes star. It emphasises the width of
the body and symbolises power and confidence. The front sections of both
Mercedes models are testimony to the designers’ passion for detail. The
headlamps, for example, are evocative of exclusive optical instruments and
perfectly harmonise functionality and aesthetic exclusivity.
Adding a new dimension to comfort and driving pleasure
The R-Class, the touring SUV from Mercedes-Benz, not only offers superb
design but also caters to the needs of modern-minded people keen on recreation,
who are looking for a car that offers tremendous versatility coupled with high
levels of comfort. The R-Class offers a high level of adaptability (load
capacity up to 2385 litres in the long-wheelbase version), exemplary standards
of safety and prestigious flair. The R-Class offers a whole new motoring
experience coupled with dynamic driving pleasure. All thanks to a host of
powerful engines with outputs ranging from 165 kW to 225 kW.
The standard specification includes the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive
system, 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT and air
suspension at the rear. Passive safety features include adaptive front airbags,
front sidebags, windowbags and the standard anticipatory occupant protection
system PRE-SAFE®, which detects a potential accident situation and prepares the
driver and passengers for an impending collision in a fraction of a second.
The extra-dynamic interpretation of the new R-Class helps Mercedes-Benz
emphasise the versatility of the new vehicle concept that scooped the “red dot
design award – best of the best”. The R 63 AMG, with its distinctive AMG looks,
is fitted with a new AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine delivering a maximum output of 375
kW and the sort of acceleration you would expect from a sports car. Exhilarating
driving pleasure, exclusive comfort and outstanding design come together in
their purest form.
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