One thing is clear: The world needs another luxury crossover vehicle. Okay, maybe not – but there’s always room for another ‘Benz, even if it is an SUV-, wagon-, car-like thing. At least that’s what the DaimlerChrysler folks are thinking and hoping and plotting, which is why they’ve built the new 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class…which looks kinda like that Grand Sports Tourer they trotted out in Detroit a few years ago.

Gulp. That is what it is. Originally introduced at the 2001 North American International Auto Show as the Vision Grand Sports Tourer, DaimlerChrysler has brought it full circle and will now produce an actual vehicle, similar to the concept, for the U.S. and Europe. Pricing has not been announced at this writing, but unconfirmed reports predict prices in the low $70,000 range. Dealerships should start seeing the R sometime in the fall of 2005.