Super TestCar reviews - Mercedes-Benz - R-class - 5-dr wagon rangeMercedes-Benz modelsResearch Mercedes-Benz OverviewFacelift of unconventional Benz R-class improves looks but appeal remains limited29 Nov 2010 Rich people have big families, too, which is why Mercedes came up with the R-Class, a luxurious seven-seat people-mover. It also designed the R-Class to sit higher than a normal wagon and fitted it with all-wheel drive for extra traction in slippery conditions rather than off-road work. The first generation, introduced in 2006, was not popular, partly because of its odd front end styling, so Mercedes has given the new model a more masculine SUV-like nose. It has also rationalised the model line-up and now offers only a single 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine. Model release date: 1 November 2010 to 1 September 2013 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelBased on the Vision GST concept of 2002, the R-Class made its production debut four years later. Sharing its platform with the ML, the seven-seater was designed with the American market in mind and came standard with all-wheel drive and rear air suspension. Mercedes offered it in two wheelbase lengths and customers could choose from five engines, including a 200kW/250Nm 3.5-litre V6, a 165kW/510Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and a 225kW/460Nm 5.0-litre V8 that all made it to Australia. There was also a 375kW/630Nm 6.2-litre V8 AMG version that was not sold locally. The Australian range started off at $82,900 for the petrol V6 and ran through to $122,900 for the petrol V8 long-wheelbase model. Get the full story: R-class is the latest all-new niche model from Mercedes-Benz, but who will buy it? |
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