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Mercedes may not be done with R-Class after all

The idea of blending a three-row SUV and a minivan into a luxury model like the Mercedes-Benz R-Class still seems wonderfully absurd, particularly when you consider that there was an AMG version of that German people-mover. Apparently, though, one of the brand's execs doesn't believe the concept behind the R-Class is all that bizarre. In fact, he thinks it could be time to try again. Wolf-Dieter Kurz, Mercedes' vice president in charge of SUVs and sports cars, believes that crossovers could be a major driver of product variants in the future due to their popularity. There are a lot of design possibilities to explore in the segment, in his opinion. "There was already one that we had in the portfolio – maybe we were too early – which was the R-Class, which we are still selling in China. It's doing good, with 12,000 to 14,000 units per year," Kurz said during the launch of the GLE and GLE Coupe, according to CarAdvice. Under a recent deal, the quirky model is made by AM General and exported out of the US. Kurz even suggested the exact niche that the new model might fill. "So let's say these more, let's say, on-road based but still very roomy, but not station wagon, is definitely an interesting segment also in the future," he said, according to CarAdvice. That almost sounds like a blend of wagon and SUV in a move not too dissimilar from the current Subaru Outback or the old R-Class. One hurdle for any future model reviving the concept of the R-Class is that the company is already bursting with CUVs. Every size is practically already filled with the GLA, GLC, GLE, and forthcoming GLS, plus Coupe variants for some of them.

The BMW 8 Series leads this month's list of discounts

Whether you prefer the sleek looks of a sport coupe, the wind-in-your-hair exhilaration of a convertible or the flexible practicality of a four-door sedan, BMW has an 8 Series to suit your fancy. And if you're in the market right now, you may find that your local BMW dealership is willing to take $18,124 off the sticker price. That figure comes courtesy of TrueCar, and it reflects the discount buyers are getting off the 8 Series' average $122,395 retail price. Most of the 8 Series models in American showrooms today are 2019 models, and that's the model year to which the discount above applies. This represents the largest discount on a new car in America this month, based on the dollar amount off the car's sticker price, and the third largest discount by percentage. And it means the average transaction price for a 2019 BMW 8 Series is hovering at $104,271. 2020 BMW 840i Gran Coupe View 38 Photos BMW offers two distinct versions of the 8 Series, the 335-horsepower 840i with rear- or all-wheel drive, and the 523-horsepower 850i, which comes standard with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. If you want to step even further up the performance ladder, there's the M8, but that 600-horsepower monster is getting a much smaller $6,150 discount. If you're not into BMWs, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT boasts the second largest monetary discount this month, with buyers averaging $16,713 off the Benz's $176,035 sticker price. Another Mercedes, the S-Class, is next with a $11,452 discount. After that comes a pair of Maserati sedans, the Quattroporte and Ghibli, each with discounts of around $11,000. Since the Ghibli's base price is so much lower than that of its larger sibling, that represents a much larger 13.5% cut from its average retail price of $81,384 for an out-the-door cost of $70,373. For a look at the best new car deals in America based on the percentage discount off their suggested asking prices, check out our monthly recap here. And when you're ready to buy, click here for the Autoblog Smart Buy program, which brings you a hassle-free buying experience with over 9,000 Certified Dealers nationwide. Related Video:

Brabus boosts big Benz plug-in hybrid

With vehicles like the BMW i8 and Porsche 918 Spyder, the Germans have demonstrated as well as anyone that "performance" and "hybrid" can go in the same sentence. And now Brabus is plugging in to the performance hybrid station as well. Though nowhere near as extreme as the aforementioned PHEV sports cars, the Brabus PowerXtra B50 Hybrid performance kit kicks the Mercedes S550 Plug-In Hybrid up a notch. The electric side of the powertrain remains untouched, but the internal combustion engine has been boosted by 51 horsepower and 52 pound-feet of torque. That gives the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 a total of 385 hp and 405 lb-ft, which is nothing to cough at – but with the electric boost kicking in, the vehicle now packs a combined output of 493 hp and 656 lb-ft. That slots its twist figure in between that of the S600 and S63 AMG. As a result, the big Brabus hybrid will now reach 62 miles per hour from a standstill in just 4.9 seconds (down from 5.2) – almost as quick as the 12-cylinder model but with half the pistons – though the top speed remains pegged at 155 mph. Naturally, Brabus didn't stop there, giving the sedan a new exhaust, aero kit, rolling stock and interior, all catered to the customer's specifications. BRABUS PowerXtra B50 Hybrid with 368 kW / 500 hp (493 bhp) and 890 Nm of torque The eco-friendly performance upgrade for the new Mercedes S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID For more than 35 years, BRABUS has been the synonym for powerful high-performance automobiles and exclusive refinement at the highest level of perfection. One philosophy has always been paramount in all these years: combining top performance with exemplary eco-friendliness, immaculate durability and perfect everyday practicality. With the new BRABUS PowerXtra B50 Hybrid performance kit for the new Mercedes S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID, the engine specialists of the world's largest independent tuner once more demonstrate their unrivalled know-how. The power increase of the V6 engine by 38 kW / 52 hp (51 bhp) and the boost in torque by 70 Nm (52 lb-ft) bumps the system output of the hybrid sedan to 368 kW / 500 hp (493 bhp) and system torque to 890 Nm (656 lb-ft). As a result, the luxury liner sprints from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds, and impresses in daily driving with even further enhanced superiority. Due to the hybrid system, the top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).