Sales figures for the R-Class haven’t managed to live up to the expectations of the German luxury brand, but Mercedes-Benz is determined not to completely write-off its “Grand Sport Tourer” just yet. News has now surfaced on Dutch publication Auto Telegraaf that the R-Class will soon be offered with RWD as standard in base versions, coinciding with a minor price drop to help boost sales.

Mercedes will also be revising the current car’s styling and will also be introducing a new model with its 5.5L V8 engine. Inside, the car is expected to offer seating for up to seven passengers in some versions with the six-seater model set to remain. There’s no word on which engine options will be available with the RWD models but it’s likely the powertrains will remain the same as the 4MATIC AWD cars.

The new models will be built alongside the Mercedes M-Class SUV, with which its shares the same V251 platform, at the company’s Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama.

I wonder when we'll see this? I don't think any amount of price or styling tweaks can fix this one, a total redesign and more importantly a total re-think of the original concept is in order!

M

If this indeed happens, I wonder how much the redesign will cost and if it's worth it!

I mean, how much can it save from the list price, can't be a huge amount meaning that people are suddenly going to buy one, can it?

We had our best R month ever in April.

If MB fixes anything it should be offering a tow package on this model. Major oversight there.

if i may ask, where bout u located, u workin at a MB Dealership?
Which R were moving well? R350 OR R500?

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Mercedes is working on a RWD R-Class, that is going to be assembled in Benz’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant.
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Telegraaf reports that base versions R-Class will soon offer RWD (in the States, that’s the six-cylinder R350, which currently starts just shy of $44,000), and that the vehicle will also get refreshed styling and a model with a 5.5-liter V-8 engine.

I too am curious about that. Did MB run some type of special on the R last month?

M

Nothing can fix the R-class. Not even a redesign. Expensive MPVs are simply unwanted, SUV have made them obsolete.

Read this on netstar yesterday.

I dont believe this will help sales much. I dont see why people would buy this over a SUV or wagon. It sure isnt the looks that would make you want to buy it