The Auto Insider . . .: Mercedes-Benz Sport Cruiser ... no, make that new R-class

Details have emerged on a new luxury crossover under development at Mercedes-Benz.

German media are calling it the Sport Cruiser - a name Mercedes-Benz originally applied to a bicycle back in 1998.

My contacts suggest the new crossover model ws been conceived to follow in the wheeltacks of the R-class, and thus will likely be badged as such.

Here's what you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz Sport Cruiser/R-class.

Planned launch date: 2017.
Five metre long one-box body with four conventional front hinged doors.
Two wheelbase lengths.
Billed by insiders as modern-day estate/wagon. Mercedes-Benz's answer to the BMW 5-series GT.
It's been described as a grown up (Ueber) B-class in appearance.
Standard five and optional seven seat interior layout.
Luxurious interior. Lots of kit.Based on Mercedes-Benz's MRA platform, as used beneath the new C-, E, S-class. Conceived to share driveline, chassis, suspension components as well as electrical system and connectivity functions with next E-class, the W213 as it is codenamed.
Among the new engines will be a new in-line six-cylinder. It is part of a modular range of new three-, four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Combination of gasoline, diesel and hybrid powerplants. An AMG Version with 500bhp plus twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 also among the envisaged models.
Production: USA, China . . .