Mercedes R-Class SUV Tourer revitalized

Mercedes Benz offers several attractive enhancements on its R-Class SUV Tourer.

The most attractive among the many innovations is the new seating arrangement. The R-Class line up was added with a five-seat variant and a seven-seat version. All of the seats in the rear compartment can be folded to create a completely flat loading area. However, the 4+2-seat configuration is still available as an option.

Other significant improvements include a rear-wheel drive or 4MATIC all-wheel drive, two wheelbase lengths, new engine variants, a greater body styling at the front and rear end, and a better interior.

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class, with refined Mercedes hoses, further features excellent handling dynamics, touring comfort, a high level of adaptability, and an excruciating spacious accommodation that includes a vast luggage compartment. The luxury designs plus the famously known Mercedes-Benz safety features make this vehicle top of the line. The SUV Tourer, for the first time, comes with a second row of seats that can accommodate three people.

The huge luggage compartment, in short-wheelbase versions, can accommodate a mass of 939 liters of luggage when loaded up to the roof. Short-wheel base versions, which have the longest load-compartment length of 1982 mm, can accommodate a maximum of 2001 liters. The long-wheelbase models on the other hand can accommodate 1118 liters of luggage. They have the longest load-compartment length of 2217 mm and can accommodate a maximum of 2436 liters. Both versions come with a practical stowage compartments under the load-compartment floor, having a capacity of 51 and 52 liters, respectively.

R-Class SUV Tourer’s passenger and load compartment dimensions make it the most spacious model in the entire Mercedes-Benz passenger-car range.

The rear seat in the center can be converted into a center armrest. Children restraint systems are available at the second seat row. ISOFIX attachment points are found in the outer seats. With optional side airbags, the R-Class is available with seats that have three-point seat belts.

As to its exterior, all the innovations are available to both short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions. The new R-Class rejuvenated the SUV Tourer through putting an enhanced body styling package at the front and rear, circular fog lamps and 18-inch light-alloy wheels for all V6 versions. The R 500 4MATIC is coupled with 19-inch wheels. Benz customers can choose between these three colors for the exterior paint: calcite white, sanidine beige and periclase green.

The vehicle’s engine line-up is added with the new V6 petrol power plant in the R 280. this possesses 170 kW/231 hp, propels the R-Class from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and consumes only 10.9 liters of premium unleaded per 100 km (NEDC-combined figure). More fuel efficient is given by the R 280 CDI 4MATIC, coupled with a latest-generation common-rail diesel engine that develops 140 kW/190 hp. With a maximum torque of 440 Nm, the V6 power plant transcends smooth performance yet requires a mere 9.3 litres of diesel per 100 km. A new engine that has the shape of a 5.5-litre V8 developing 285 kW/388 hp and a peak torque of 530 Nm is also featured in the R 500 4MATIC.

All R-Class cars come with the innovative 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission with Direct Select lever on the steering column.

The R 280 CDI, the R 280 and the R 350 are the three new entry-level R-Class models and each has V6 versions with rear-wheel drive and a choice of a short or long wheelbase. Among these, the R 280 CDI is the most fuel efficient which consumes just 8.9 liters of diesel per 100 km (NEDC combined).

With an initial price of € 46,707.50, the new generation R-Class will be in the market autumn of 2007.

Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast. This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.