Super TestCar reviews - Mercedes-Benz - R-class - 5-dr wagon rangeMercedes-Benz modelsResearch Mercedes-Benz Launch Story29 Nov 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ is pressing on with the slow-selling R-Class people-mover in Australia, but has drastically reduced the number of variants available. The seven-seater, which has a relatively high ride height and all-wheel drive, has been given a styling change and general upgrade to increase its appeal. Mercedes has culled the R-class line-up from six models to just one, dropping the long-wheelbase variants and three of the four engine options, including the two petrol units. The only model now available is the short-wheelbase R300 with a 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine. The R-Class has struggled for sales against luxury SUVs since it was introduced in 2006 and has averaged just 12 sales a month so far this year. Mercedes-Benz Australia calls the R-Class an SUV tourer which doubles as a people mover and feels that customers are coming around to the concept. “I think this segment has gained a lot of acceptance, which it didn’t have when the car was launched,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden. He said the company was “simplifying the choice” for the customers by offering one model, but would still consider adding a petrol engine to the range when new engines become available. The R300 costs $92,200 and the 3.0-litre V6 common-rail turbo-diesel engine generates 140kW at 4000rpm and 440Nm from 1400-2800rpm, linked to a regular torque convertor-type seven-speed automatic transmission to deliver average fuel consumption of 9.3L/100km. Most attention has been paid to the exterior, especially the front end, to make it “far more SUV-like in its appearance”. Mercedes has dropped the very large oval headlights, which set the previous R-Class apart from anything else on the road, while the front guards, bonnet, grille, bumpers and headlights (bi-xenon with LED daytime-running lights) are all new. Mercedes has largely left the rear alone and has also steered clear of changing the interior, which retains the same changeable two-three-two seating layout, with the rear seats folding into the floor. The R300 sits on 20-inch alloy wheels and comes standard with Artico “man-made leather” seats, burr walnut woodgrain trim sections, chrome exterior features, electric folding mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, metallic paint, 6-disc CD changer, 4Gb music hard drive, voice recognition control, eight airbags and a full suite of electronic safety aids. Also standard is the Easy Pack tailgate feature, which opens and closes the tailgate automatically, parking sensors and a rear-view parking camera that displays onto a high-resolution dash-mounted screen. Options include adaptive radar cruise control ($3549), blind spot assist ($1469), leather upholstery ($2447), panoramic glass sunroof ($3204), keyless entry and start ($1684), heated front seats ($627) and heated second row seats ($627). Customers can choose a Vision package ($3776) that includes a Harman/Kardon Logic 7 sound system, glass sunroof and keyless entry and start. An AMG Sports package is available for $4895 and includes an AMG steering wheel, anthracite trim sections, leather sports seats with multi-contour backrests for the driver and passenger, brushed stainless steel pedals, interior lighting package and semi-active adjustable air suspension. 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 |
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