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The R-Class is the Mercedes-Benz SUV with a difference – although it comes with four-wheel drive (except the entry-level R 300 which is rear-wheel drive) you would never consider taking it off-road. Not even along the shortest of stretches of sand. No, the R-Class isn’t designed to get dirty – it’s been designed to produce the absolute of luxury and comfort for all those on board. It positively lives for long highways stretches which show the R-Class off in its best light. Three engines are offered ranging from a comfortable 3.0-litre V6 to a punchy 388bhp 5.0-litre V8. There’s seating onboard for six – in individual captain’s chair style seats – and there’s plenty of room in the boot for family paraphernalia, this is helped by the fact that all R-Classes offered in the region are long wheelbase versions. Everything on the interior is leather-lined of course and you can optionally choose to have two eight-inch monitors installed into the back of the front seats so you can play DVDs to keep anyone in the back occupied. The exterior was given a sporting up in 2009 with AMG-style wheel upgrades and styling cues being offered as standard across the range. The R-Class was introduced to the world back in 2006 but has never achieved the volumes that Mercedes had hoped for. It’s due to receive a minor freshening up in early 2011, but tellingly, there are no plans for the company to develop a replacement model. If you’re looking for an alternative way to transport the family around, you’re certainly going to get that with the R-Class. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-mercedes-benz-r-class/

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most popular models offered by the German marque in this part of the world – we just can’t get enough of its huge space, rampant performance, cutting-edge technology and luxury appointments. The 2010 model is a facelift of the latest generation model that was launched in 2006. Highlights on the 2010 include new LED headlights on the outside and a split view navigation/DVD screen (much like Land Rover offers on the Range Rover) amongst improvements on the inside. However, the biggest news on the S-Class is the arrival of the S400 Hybrid, which sits in the middle of the model range. It uses the same basic 3.5-litre V6 engine as the S 350 but is also fitted with an electric motor and battery pack. This propels the S-Class along at low speeds – in traffic for example – without the V6 petrol engine running. It’s a way to improve the S-Class’s fuel efficiency when you’re in busy high-traffic environments – which in this part of the world is extremely common. Away from the Hybrid model, there are another seven S-Classes on offer ranging from the entry-level S300 to the S65 AMG. The majority of S-Class models sold in the region are in the L long wheelbase form as this gives extra space for those in the back to relax and enjoy the sumptuous interior. Comfort is a strong point on the S-Class, although the more hardcore AMG version compromise a little on this for more driver involvement. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-mercedes-benz-s-class/

Going against the conventional thinking that convertibles are a little bit soft is the Mercedes SL-Class. The latest version was introduced to the market in 2008 as a development of the car that was originally launched in 2001. The SL can be considered to be a relaxed convertible in which to cruise in unruffled luxury, or a hardcore sports car ready to take on Porsche’s finest – it all depends on which engine you choose. At the more relaxed end of the spectrum are the SL300 and 350 – these are true cruisers. Though the engines are pretty powerful when examined in isolation – 231bhp and 316bhp – neither really has enough performance to get the SL fully into its groove. The better-endowed SL500 and SL600 models are much better and can just about pull of the look and feel of a sportscar, though essentially are still much happier cruising around with the power-operated roof stowed away in the boot. The real hardcore models get an AMG badge on the rear, and like the best Mercedes cars, there’s two to choose from. Both the SL63 AMG and the SL65 AMG have outstanding performance credentials, but when you consider than the SL65 costs the same as the combined price of an SL63 and an SL300, you understand that the SL65 is certainly the top dog. Driving around in a Mercedes without the roof has never been quite so ferocious, though it still manages to pull off a good impression of a comfortable cruiser around town should the performance become a little wearing after a while. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-mercedes-benz-sl-class/

Although seen as one of the softer models in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, the little SLK is actually a rather nice car. It wasn’t always this case – the first generation SLK didn’t really live up to the expectation put onto it by the three-pointed star on the bonnet. However, the current generation car – originally launched in 2004, though face lifted at the tail end of 2007 – is a much more competent vehicle in all senses. Of course, the SLK’s party-piece is its metal roof, which can be folded away in the boot at the touch of a button and 20 seconds-worth of hydraulic mechanical action. This transforms the SLK from a slightly cramped two-seat coupe into a bona fide convertible cruiser – albeit still a little on the cramped side and naturally only for two. The seats are pretty comfortable and hold you well in place during spirited driving. Like all Mercedes models, a number of engines are offered from the cruising-special SLK 200 which makes do with a 1.8-litre 184bhp engine that has limited performance abilities. Above this entry model sits the SLK 300 and SLK 350 – both run with V6 engines, a 231bhp 3.0-litre in the SLK 300 and a more potent 305bhp 3.5-litre lump in the 350. Both are pretty good performers, though the 350 will deliver the most bank for your buck. On a more hardcore level is the SLK 55 AMG, which is one of the most characterful cars that AMG produces – though many of the hairy-chested AMG faithful don’t like to acknowledge this. SOURCE: http://automiddleeast.com/2010-mercedes-benz-slk-class/