Mercedes-Benz R-Class to return in 2025 as AMG-badged 750kW EV – report
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class seven-seater could be on track to return for 2025, according to a new report from the UK's Car magazine.
However, while the original R-Class sold from 2006 to 2013 offered V6 and V8 naturally-aspirated petrol and turbo-diesel engines with – C63-engined R63 AMG aside – little to no performance bent, Car claims the new R-Class will be an all-electric, high-performance luxury seven-seater to top Mercedes' electric vehicle (EV) line-up.
The 2025 model – set to be badged Mercedes-AMG GLR, denoting its performance intentions, or Mercedes-Benz EQR, signalling its electric drivetrain, or a mix of both – will reportedly ride on the German brand's new electric-only platform, as used under the EQS sedan, EQS SUV, EQE and a plethora of other upcoming Benz EVs.
Above and top: the C63 V8-powered, 2006 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG.
Energy will reportedly be stored in a 105kWh lithium-ion battery pack designed for high-speed, long-distance touring thanks to 350kW DC fast-charging and a 20kWh 'overboost feature' which, while not elaborated upon by Car, would likely unlock the battery's upper and lower 'buffers' – typically used to slow degradation and wear – to eek out additional range for long road trips and Autobahn blasts.
The British publication claims three 250kW electric motors – one up front, two at the rear – will drive the EQR's (or GLR's) wheels, combining for overall outputs of 750kW of power and 1350Nm of torque.
While the front motor will drive its wheels through a conventional single-speed direct-drive gear ratio, the rear motors will use a two-speed transmission which, if the two-speed transmission used by the Porsche Taycan electric sedan is any guide, will use first gear for rapid, off-the-line launches, before switching into second gear for higher-speed motorway driving.
Above: Mercedes-Benz's current most powerful electric vehicle, the EQC mid-size SUV.
While the car's expected 2025 on-sale date means EQR prototypes have yet to be spied testing, expect the reborn R-Class to offer a similar seven-seat MPV shape to its predecessor, plus contemporary LED lighting, cab-forward electric proportions, Mercedes-Benz EQ's trademark styling cues (including a closed-off, wide front 'grille', and a full-width tail-light bar), and large alloy wheels.
The original Mercedes-Benz R-Class was sold locally from 2006 to 2013, its local powertrain range consisting of everything from V6 diesels to the 375kW, V8-powered R63 AMG – with just two of the latter ever being sold in Australia.
2011 was the best sales year for the R-Class Down Under, shifting 324 units – less than a sixth of the M-Class (now GLE) units sold over the same period.