2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class on sale in Europe

Mercedes-Benz has begun selling its face-lifted 2011 R-Class in Europe, with the first U.S. deliveries slated to begin in July. The new model goes into regular production this week in Alabama.

Unveiled earlier this year at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the updated R-Class gets a new front-end design that borrows heavily from the company's most recent sedans.

For the U.S. market, the 2011 model will offer a choice of two carryover engine choices: a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and a 210-hp 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel.

In Europe, Mercedes will market the R350 CDI 4Matic, powered by a more potent version of the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, producing 262 hp and a beefy 457 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration from zero to 60 mph takes less than 7.6 seconds, and the vehicle has a top speed of 146 mph.

All R-Class models get the 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.

Inside Line says: According to the Birmingham News, nearly half of all R-Class models built in Alabama are shipped to and sold in China.