German Car Zone

For the third year in a row, readers of the German publication "Auto Zeitung" have named the Mercedes-Benz R-Class the best van, bestowing it with the coveted "Auto Trophy 2007" award. Also capturing an Auto Trophy award was the S-Class, taking top honors in the luxury class.

The results were announced after some 100,000 readers of the "Auto Zeitung" website cast their votes for the best cars of 2007. To achieve their victories, the R-Class managed to edge out 17 competitors, while the S-Class prevailed over 13 other entrants in the luxury category.

To learn more about the Auto Trophy awards as well as the factors which helped contribute to each model's victory, keep reading for the official press release.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


“Auto Trophy 2007”: Mercedes-Benz R- and S-Class are the best cars of 2007

Stuttgart – For the third year running, readers of the magazine "Auto Zeitung" have voted the Mercedes-Benz R-Class the best van and once again awarded it the coveted "Auto Trophy". First place as best car in the luxury class was also taken by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Yesterday the awards were received in Berlin by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and the Executive Board member for Research and Development, Dr. Thomas Weber, in the presence of major personalities from the media, society, politics and business.

The two first places for the R and S-Class were the second double victory in succession for the Stuttgartpremium brand in the important "Auto Trophy" vote. A total of more than 100,000 knowledgeable readers of the "Auto Zeitung" Internet site cast their votes for the best cars of 2007 in the competition, which was held for the 20th time this year.

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class was able to prevail over 17 competitors. In voting it the best van, the readers of "Auto Zeitung" acknowledged its unique vehicle concept, with which Mercedes-Benz has set trends. It excels with exemplary travelling comfort, a high degree of variability and outstanding spaciousness, coupled with a striking design and the safety typical of a Mercedes.

In the vote for the best car in the luxury class, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class won through against 13 competitors. This flagship model from Stuttgart is acknowledged as an example to the entire field of passenger car development. It is also the top seller in the luxury segment, and occupies an exalted position with its refined stylishness, self-assured elegance and innovative ideas. The technical milestones realised for the first time in the S-Class include AIRMATIC air suspension and DISTRONIC proximity control. With these the luxury saloon opens up new dimensions in handling dynamics, while treating its passengers to an outstanding level of comfort. Standard features include unique technical innovations such as Brake Assist PLUS with radar sensors, the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, night view assist with infrared technology and the PRE-SAFE® brake. As the only system in the world of its kind, this can help to prevent an impending rear-end collision by automatically braking the car beforehand.

Copyright © 2007, Daimler AG


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I can of course see the S-Class, but the R-Class? Best van, I can't stand it. That is a back-handed compliment.

M

Wow!!! The R-Class got an award for the best van??!! I didn't expected anything like that...

Its so typical the germans

Whatever the R class got, it won't help it anyways...

Kudos though.

Exactly. They could fill its cargo area with awards and it won't help. I would really like to know what Mercedes is thinking for the redesign.

M

Complete redesign of front is inevitable!

I found the entire list of winners over on Autospies:

Auto Trophy First Place Winners:
Small car winner (total): Mini
Small car Import Winner: Fiat 500
Compact class winner (total): Audi A3
Compact class Import Winner: Skoda Octavia
Midsize class winner (total): Audi A4
Midsize class Import Winner: Mazda 6
Upper class winner (total): Audi A6
Upper class Import Winner: Volvo S80
Luxury class winner (total): Mercedes S-class
Luxury class Import Winner: Maserati Quattroporte
Cabrios below 30K Euros winner (total): BMW 1-series
Cabrios below 30K Euros Import Winner: Mazda MX-5
Cabrios over 30K Euros winner (total): Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Cabrios over 30K Euros Import Winner: Ferrari F430 Spider
Sports car winner (total): Porsche 911 Carrera
Sports car Import winner: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Supercar Winner (total): Audi R8
Supercar Import Winner: Aston Martin DBS
Minivans winner (total): VW Touran
Minivans import winner: Skoda Roomster
Vans winner (total): Mercedes R-class
Vans import winner: Renault Espace
SUVs below 30K Euros winner (total): VW Tiguan
SUVs below 30K Euros import winner: Toyota RAV4
SUVs above 30K Euros winner (total): BMW X5
SUVs above 30K Euros import winner: Range Rover Sport
Most Inexpensive Car winner: Skoda Fabia Combi
Best Advertiser: Audi


I must say I like this list a whole lot.

M

I might be the only one here but i do think that the R not that bad looking and if i'd ever want to travel with my family in luxury it'd be my first choice not some american or japanese van.

I love the R. Best value mercedes has. Only thing it lacks is a tow package and hitch.

My father bought one last Christmas with my employee purchase discount. Loves it.