Four years after its first luxury MPV hit our roads, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched its new generation R-Class model, boasting better safety features and unrivalled comfort for passengers.

The 7-seater R 300 L features a completely redesigned front section with styling cues taken from Mercedes-Benz saloon and SUV models, while retaining the interior versatility of its predecessor.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice-president of sales and marketing for passenger cars Florian Mueller said the new generation R-Class is the perfect choice for everyday use and longer journeys, and is the most variable and spacious in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car product range.

"The R-Class can seat seven adults comfortably for long distance travel and is equipped with a wide range of safety technologies," said Mueller after launching the R-Class at the Golden Palm Resort in Sepang Goldcoast.

Mueller said Malaysian families would find the R-Class spacious, prestigious and exceptionally comfortable with a harmonious balance of style, substance and functionality.

He said the safety features include the unique anticipatory occupant protection system "Pre-Safe", a complete restraint system with eight airbags, crash-active Neck-Pro head restraints, tyre pressure loss warning system and the unique "blind spot" assist system.

Comprising short-range radars housed on both sides of the rear bumpers, the "blind spot" system alerts the driver once it recognises that a lane-change is too dangerous by illuminating a red warning symbol in the lens of the exterior mirror.

Equipped with the latest-generation 7G-Tronic automatic transmission, the R 300 L also features a new torque converter with slip-reduced lockup clutch that improves fuel efficiency.

The R 300 L also has a Airmatic air suspension system with adaptive damping system (ADS) to cushion occupants from bad road conditions.

The R 300 L is available at RM470,888 (US$ 150,445) while a sportier version with 20-inch five-spoke AMG alloy wheels retails at RM478,888.