Middle East premiere of new Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The region's largest automotive exhibition sees the Middle East premiere of this ground-breaking 'grand sports tourer' which features new innovations that make it a benchmark in its class.

Other new Mercedes Car Group, Dubai, products making their Middle East debut include the new Maybach 57 S ("S" for "Special"), which meets the requirements of demanding customers wanting an ultra- luxury sedan with even greater engine output and agility, and the ML 63 AMG, the new benchmark for sporty luxury off-roaders, unveiled by former Formula 1 star and current German Touring Car Championship driver, Jean Alesi.

"The new R-Class, the Grand Sports Tourer from Mercedes-Benz, reaffirms the role of Mercedes-Benz as the visionary and trendsetter amongst automotive brands,"

said Johannes Fritz, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Car Group.

The unprecedented vehicle concept takes the acknowledged strengths of established vehicle categories, such as sporty saloon, estate, MPV and SUV, and fuses them to create a new car with a character all of its own, a car that is all about the three Ds: Design, Dimensions and Dynamism.

The concept of the Grand Sports Tourer caters to the needs of modern-minded people looking for a car that offers tremendous versatility combined with athletic performance. Quite apart from boasting ample spaciousness, exemplary standards of safety and impeccable comfort for up to six passengers, the new R-Class provides a wholly new motoring experience.

Measuring 5157 millimetres from nose to tail, the body of the new Mercedes-Benz R-Class has the dimensions of a luxury saloon but is considerably more spacious inside. Up to six passengers can be accommodated in three seat rows in the R-Class - each of them with a window seat.

Families who are keen on sports and recreational activities and who are looking for a versatile car that can adapt to all manner of transportation tasks quickly and easily are also catered for by the new R-Class as only Mercedes knows how. The four seats in the rear fold flat individually, allowing the load capacity to be expanded to as much as 1950 or 2385 litres (VDA measuring method). Loading and unloading is particularly straightforward, courtesy of the level load floor and the generously proportioned EASY-PACK tailgate.

The powerful V8 powerplant under the bonnet of the R 500 propels it from standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 245 km/h. Powered by the new 272-hp V6 petrol engine, the R 350 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 8.4 seconds and goes on to reach a top speed of 230 km/h.

All engine models are partnered as standard by the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission, which itself comes with a noteworthy new feature in the form of DIRECT SELECT. This electronic transmission control system has allowed Mercedes engineers to dispense with the conventional automatic selector lever in the centre console and to replace it instead with a lever on the steering column. Additional gearshift buttons on the steering wheel enable drivers to manually pre-select the seven forward gears, just as in a Formula One racing car.

Permanent all-wheel drive, the electronically controlled 4ETS traction system and ESP® team up to offer top-notch driving safety and keeps the new R-Class safely on course, even in very bad road conditions.

The latest technology offers passengers in the Grand Sports Tourer the safety to be expected of a Mercedes. PRE-SAFE®, the multi-award-winning anticipatory protection system which is available as an option, detects critical handling situations and immediately springs into action to prepare occupants and vehicle alike for an imminent collision. Precautions include pulling the driver's and front passenger's seat belts taut, adjusting the electrically adjustable front passenger seat with memory function to the optimum position and automatically closing the sliding sunroof. These preventive protection measures improve the seating position of the vehicle's occupants prior to impact, thereby enhancing the restraining effect of the seat belts and airbags.

Adaptive front airbags and front sidebags as well as windowbags can all be found on the standard specification list of the new R-Class, and all passengers enjoy the added reassurance of belt tensioners and belt force limiters. A further Mercedes first for improving standards of occupant safety still further is NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints (optional).

Maybach 57S: A powerful statement of luxury
The Dubai Motor Show marks the Middle East launch of the latest addition to the Maybach model line-up, the newly developed 57 S. The "S" stands for "Special" - an eminently appropriate choice, as this new Saloon responds to the wishes of demanding customers for even greater engine output and agility.

In order to meet their requirements, its 6-litre V12 biturbo engine has been enhanced by Mercedes-AMG to deliver 62 hp more than the Maybach 57 while the suspension set-up has also been modified to provide a firmer response.
This combination makes the Maybach 57 S the ideal high-end luxury Saloon for owner-drivers seeking the very latest high-performance technology implemented in a manner which embodies the perfection characteristic of the brand. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is just five seconds.

Discreet and tasteful exterior visual highlights emphasise the distinctly dynamic character of the new Maybach 57 S. These include an exclusive monochrome colour scheme featuring special black or silver paint finishes, a modified front section with an enhanced radiator grille and revised light units, a discreet "57 S" legend on the front wing below the A-pillar and on the boot lid, as well as striking new 20-inch spoked wheels.

At the rear, the two redesigned tail pipes of the exhaust system are integrated in a revised rear apron which signals the high-performance capabilities of the 57 S. Even when the new Maybach is stationary, its dynamic and elegant pres-ence clearly identifies it as an exclusive luxury saloon with outstanding performance - characteristics which make it a compelling choice for the committed owner-driver.

ML 63 AMG: New benchmark among sporty off-roaders
The new top-of-the-range M-Class model occupies the peak position in its segment and sets a new standard among sporty off-roaders.

The powerful heart of a high-performance athlete beats beneath the bonnet of the ML 63 AMG. A completely new unit, developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine generates an output of 510 hp at 6800 rpm and a maximum torque of 630 newton metres at 5200 rpm. This makes the new AMG powerpack the world's most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in terms of specific output and specific torque.
This unique combination of a high-revving engine design and a large displacement offers the best of both worlds - exhilarating liveliness accompanied by powerful torque from low engine speeds.

No other off-roader in the direct competitive line-up has a larger displacement and output than the new ML 63 AMG. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine provides the performance levels of a sports car, with acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds and a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). Compared to the preceding ML 55 AMG with 347 hp and 510 newton metres, the new ML 63 AMG generates 46 percent more output and 23 percent more torque.

Power transfer in the top M-Class model is via an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with a DIRECT SELECT shift lever mounted on the steering column. Three shift modes specially configured for the sporty performance characteristics of the AMG V8 engine ensure that the power is used to best effect.

As in a Formula One racing car, the seven gears can be changed using the gearshift buttons on the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel. The permanent all-wheel drive of the ML 63 AMG is also configured for sporty performance: in the interests of the best possible agility and performance on bends, the generous power of the AMG V8 engine is distributed to the front and rear axles on a 40:60 basis. A specially strengthened drive train ensures an optimal power transfer and characteristic Mercedes reliability.

The AMG sports suspension based on AIRMATIC ensures high cornering speeds, precise directional stability and low levels of body roll while providing excellent long-distance comfort. The air suspension features AMG-specific damper struts and a specially configured version of the Adaptive Damping System (ADS). A level control system automatically lowers the suspension at higher speeds.

Road contact is via high-sheen 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design. Featuring 295/45 R 19 wide-base tyres all-round, this wheel/tyre combination is not only impressive for its muscular appearance, but also gives the car the roadholding it needs for sporty performance. High-sheen 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design with 295/40 R 20 wide-base tyres are available as an option. The shortest possible braking distances are ensured by the generously dimensioned AMG high-performance braking system, which features ventilated and dimpled brake discs all-round.

Wide, muscular, with a broad stance and poised to surge forward - the visual appearance of the new ML 63 AMG leaves no doubt that this is an exceptional vehicle. The athletic design of this powerful off-roader is characterised by its striking AMG bodystyling with a front and rear apron, an AMG-specific radiator grille, flared wings, stainless steel running boards with rubber studs and tinted rear lights.

Sportiness is the dominant theme in the interior of the ML 63 AMG too. The exclusive interior features include AMG sports seats with nappa leather upholstery, the AMG ergonomic leather sports steering wheel with gearshift buttons, AMG door sills and stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs. The AMG instrument cluster is equally dynamic with its specially styled markings, red needles and 320 km/h speedometer scale.

The ML 63 AMG also meets the highest safety requirements. Standard features include the anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®, crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints in the first seat row, adaptive, two-stage airbags for the driver and front passenger, front sidebags, windowbags and belt tensioners with belt force limiters for all the seats.