2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Reviews

Word has come from the top brass at Mercedes-Benz — eights are back.During the financial reporting wrap up from the executives at Mercedes-Benz, a few hints at future plans were sprinkled in, including mention of a new, next-gen V8 under development.Under one of the core approaches Mercedes is planning to follow, “building the most desirable cars”. Merc said it aims for its AMG performance sub-brand to “outgrow the performance market”.This is apparently coming thanks to “a heavily refreshed model lineup from 2026 onwards and a strategic evolution of its portfolio,” but the biggest news is that moving forward means moving back in a sense.The plans include what AMG said is “a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8” as well as “dedicated “ performance EVs based on the AMG.EA electric car platform.The timing of the announcement comes following a gradual slowing in the increase of EV uptake almost worldwide, but particularly in Europe.In addition to this, poor reception to the shift from V8-power to a hybridised four-cylinder engine in the brand’s iconic AMG C63 sedan provides more ammunition for the brand to refocus its resources and efforts into the V8 space.It was reported in 2023 via a correspondent for US outlet Car and Driver that senior engineers at AMG believed only minor bodywork changes to the new C-Class (and E-Class) would be required to accommodate a V8 engine.At the time, it was also stated the hybrid four-cylinder powered C63 would remain an option.Whether the V8 now being developed was born from the existing one isn’t clear, as AMG still retains V8 power for models such as the AMG GT or even as a plug-in hybrid in the GT S E four-door where it produces 620kW and 1400Nm.Even without electrification, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit makes 430kW and 800Nm in the GT 63 sports coupe - nothing to turn your nose up at. Given AMG has already confirmed the next-gen V8 will be electrified, the ceiling for performance will surely be even higher than before.

The baby Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen is a real thing.The German brand will build the little butch four-wheel drive after announcing its plans in an investor relations presentation, according to US publication Car and Driver.Mercedes-Benz boss Ola Kallenius said previously the company was considering a baby G-Wagen this decade, but now the company appears to have confirmed it will be here sooner rather than later.No further details were given on the little rough and tumble off-roader, but there is a strong chance the baby G-Wagen will be fully electric.Its larger sibling debuted a fully electric version last year, which uses four electric motors to deliver 432kW and an astonishing 1164Nm. A 116kWh battery delivers a driving range of up to 473km.A smaller — and cheaper — baby G-Wagen would most likely use two electric motors. The ability to have two electric motors delivering both four-wheel drive and brutish performance leans into the G-Wagen’s image.Going fully electric isn’t a certainty, as Mercedes-Benz has walked back its electrification plans and is extending the lifespan of hybrid and petrol vehicles as demand for fully electric vehicles has slowed.It is expected to be about the same size as the company’s GLB SUV, which would put it at about 4600mm long or roughly the same size as a Toyota RAV4.This means it will be bigger than the heavily rumoured, but not confirmed, mini Toyota LandCruiser FJ. That vehicle is believed to be about 4500mm or a similar size to compact SUVs such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona.Small — and more affordable — 4WD options are the current flavour of the month.The popularity of the Suzuki Jimny has shown there is a hungry market for a vehicle with the same capabilities as full size off-roaders without all the trimmings that go with it.The mini LandCruiser FJ, is believed to be based on the less sophisticated 'IMV' platform that forms the basis of many vehicles in emerging markets. This is rather than the newer 'TNGA-F' platform that sits underneath the new Toyota Prado and LandCruiser 300.The IMV is a ladder frame chassis that means it's still highly capable off-road but won’t be as polished as the brand's bigger and more expensive 4WDs.

Mercedes-Benz has slashed the price of its popular C200 after feedback from customers.

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will deliver price parity between its upcoming CLA sedan, which will be offered with the option of an electric or hybrid powertrain.Speaking to Autocar UK, Mercedes’ CEO, Ola Källenius, said 30 per cent cost savings in battery production meant a 15 per cent reduction in the electric version’s pricing, meaning it will have “roughly similar pricing” to the petrol-hybrid version.In Australia, Mercedes doesn’t currently offer a hybrid and electric car in the same vehicle class, making it difficult to speculate on any potential cost savings.The brand will reveal its new entry-level electric sedan, which is built on its new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) platform, in Europe by the middle of this year, with the hybrid version to follow later in the year.Four new models will be built on the MMA platform, including a saloon and shooting brake version of the CLA in both electric and hybrid powertrains, as well as expected replacements for the GLA/EQA and GLB/EQB.The German automotive icon is betting big on the MMA platform, which it hopes will account for a quarter of its sales once all its models have been launched, which is equivalent to roughly 600,000 units worldwide when factoring in last year’s global sales of roughly 2.4 million cars.It first previewed the MMA platform on the CLA concept car it unveiled at the Munich motor show in 2023, which is based on the 2022 Vision EQXX concept car that Mercedes drove from Sindelfingen to Cassis – a 1000km journey – on a single charge.Mercedes has already revealed the CLA will feature two battery pack options, a 58kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) unit, good for approximately 600km of range, while top-spec variants will get a more energy dense 85kWh silicon-oxide-anode unit that pushes 700km.800-volt charging architecture is expected, which Mercedes claims can add 400km of range in just 15 minutes on the concept version. It is unclear, however, whether variants with smaller LFP batteries will also benefit from the more advanced charging architecture.A compact Electric Drive Unit (EDU 2.0) will be the heart of the electric CLA, which is a derivative of the unit that powered the Vision EQXX concept.The EDU 2.0 will convert power from the battery to a 200kW electric motor mounted on the front axle via a two-speed transmission (similar to what is offered on a Porsche Taycan). A second 80kW motor will be fitted to the front axle on all-wheel drive versions.Mercedes is targeting an efficiency rating of 12kWh/100km, which would comfortably exceed the claimed peak ratings of a Tesla Model 3 (13.2kWh/100km) a BMW i4 (16.1kWh/100km), a Hyundai Ioniq 6 (14.3kWh/100km) and a BYD Seal (16.6kWh/100km).Powering the hybrid, on the other hand, will be a newly-developed 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, paired with a 1.3kWh battery unit, an electric motor, a 48-volt electrical system and an eight-speed electric dual-clutch transmission.Three power outputs are expected to be provided from the petrol engine, 100kW, 120kW and 140kW, not including the power from the electric motor.More information is expected following the next-generation CLA’s reveal later this year. It is poised to launch in Australia some time in the first half of next year.

Mercedes-Benz is testing the holy grail solid-state battery. This future tech is believed to be the silver bullet to unlocking mass electric car adoption.

Those aspiring to be Mercedes-Benz owners may be in for a shock with the prestige brand recently axing its A-Class small sedan, while increasing prices across its entire range by up to $6000. The A-Class sedan made its Australian debut in 2019 and joined the A-Class hatchback to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 sedan and Sportback. The A-Class is also the most affordable entry point into Mercedes-Benz’s entire Australian line-up.Mercedes-Benz says the discontinuation only affects the A-Class sedan and the hatch will remain on sale.“The A-Class sedan is currently still on sale in Australia, however factory orders have been closed,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide. “Customers can order locally available stock. The A-Class hatchback is currently still available for factory and stock order.”  The A-Class sedan and hatch have been a success story for Mercede-Benz with the total sales for 2024 reaching 1997 — about 50 more cars than the year’s sales for the C-Class sedan.The reason for the sedan’s departure Mercedes-Benz says is to make way for electric and hybrid models which will be the new entry points into the brand.“Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new range of entry-level vehicles built on the all-new, electric-first MMA platform. The upcoming CLA will lead this range, which will include a four-door coupé, a shooting brake, and two SUVs.” The A-Class hatch might remain but it’s also now expensive with the price rising by $600 to $57,500. Actually, every model in Mercedes-Benz’s entire line-up (there are 64 of them) has seen a price increase with the most expensive Maybach S 680 vlimbing by $6000.Entry into the C-Class sedan range is now $92,600 (up by $1200), while the E-class starts at $132,000 (up by $1586). Mercedes-Benz’s smallest and most affordable SUV the GLA 200 is now $63,600 (up by $700). Mercedes-Benz told CarsGuide the price increase was caused by several factors but would not go into detail.“As pricing is a dynamic topic that is influenced by a wide range of factors, we can’t provide any further comments,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told CarsGuide.  You can see our table below for the full list of price changes. Prices listed are before on-road costs but include LCT and GST

The latest MY25 Vito van range brings updated styling and numerous standard equipment upgrades. However, is our 119 LWB Panel Van test vehicle worth its high purchase price and servicing costs?

A recent overhaul of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter range brings extra safety technologies and new comfort and convenience features to the Heavy Commercial vehicle segment, but do these upgrades justify the high purchase/servicing costs of this popular German workhorse?

Mercedes-Benz has announced special ‘Night Edition’ exterior packaging is now a no-cost option on fully-electric EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ small SUVs.

Voice control seemed so futuristic, with KITT, the heavily modified Pontiac Firebird showing just how helpful it could be in Knight Rider.