M-B to introduce ‘polarizing’ R-Class
Mercedes-Benz used to be the fuddy-duddy of the German automakers, slow to react to change and even slower to implement it.
But that’s the old Mercedes. The new one has some tricks up its sleeve.
In October, M-B will introduce the R-Class, an idea so fresh they’re not sure what to call it. It’s the elephant to the blind men — hard to categorize and impossible to ignore.
The R-Class is based on the new M-Class SUV platform, which is a clue to its identity, but not a definitive one. It holds six adults comfortably, has full-time all-wheel-drive and goes like stink.
It handles like a sport sedan and looks like nothing else.
It is, said product manager Ron Mueller, a “polarizing” design buyers are likely to either love or hate. Despite coming from the truck side of the family, the R-Class has a coefficient of drag of just 0.31, which is sedan territory.
Mercedes calls the R-Class a sports tourer, which fits about as well as anything. The only other competition at the moment is Cadillac’s RSX, although that will change as Audi, BMW and Lincoln come to market with vehicles that will compete for buyers.
The R-Class is huge, measuring 203 inches, or nearly 17 feet, in overall length, an inch longer than the full-size S-Class and 14 inches longer than the M-Class.
Sixty-five percent of its total volume is consumed by cabin space. Four of its six individually adjustable seats fold flat to create an enormous cargo area.
When occupied, each seat boasts its own cupholder, armrest, vents and lighting. Full-length curtain-style airbags extend the length of the cabin.
The R-Class is opulently outfitted, with abundant leather and authentic wood trim. It offers virtually all M-B’s latest technology, either standard or optionally.
There will be two editions of R-Class; the R350 ($48,775, including destination) is powered by a 268-horsepower V-6, while the R500 ($56,275) gets a 302-hp eight. In addition to the items mentioned above, the standard-features list includes 17-inch alloy wheels (18s on the R500), dual-zone climate control with rear vents, cruise control, eight-way power front seats and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Safety gear includes a full set of airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes with brake assist and brake-force distribution.
In a daylong test drive on winding mountain roads outside Monterey, Calif., the R-Class ate up mile after twisting mile with an athlete’s swift grace. The suspension can be set to normal, comfort and sport modes and the transmission dishes out torque with abandon. It drops as many as three gears at a time, when necessary, to launch the big car past overtaken vehicles with thrilling urgency.
A set of toggle switches on the back side of the steering wheel allow manual shifting without the need to slip the shift lever into a separate gate. For a rig of its size, it handles quick transitions and fast corners with minimal body lean and outstanding balance.
A host of options packages will allow owners to individualize their R-Classes, but none makes more sense than the Panoramic Roof. With its 5-foot-7-inch total length, it turns the interior into a bright and open greenhouse, and not even third-row passengers will feel hemmed in.
From fuddy-duddy to innovator, M-B has undergone a remarkable corporate makeover in recent years and the R-Class is its most dramatic new product yet.