The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a 5-door mid-size luxury MPV/SUV that has been in production ever since its introduction at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Daimler AG manufactured it in Vance, Alabama until 2013 when production activities transferred to Mishawaka, Indiana. The R-Class shares its platform with the M-Class and the Gl-Class and comes in two wheelbase lengths: 2980mm Standard and 3215mm Long variant.
R63 AMG was added to the fleet at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, powered by a handbuilt 6.2L V8 engine producing 375kW (503hp) and 630Nm of torque. It came in four-wheel-drive variant only, and despite the substantial weight, managed to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and reach top speeds of 275km/h.
Mercedes-Benz planned to sell 50,000 cars per year with half of that staying in the United States. It performed strongly in the market in the first two years but, with the Great Recession, sales declined and never recovered. The R-Class was discontinued in 2012 for the North American, and 2013 for the European and worldwide market, except for China, where the R-Class garnered popularity worthy of continued production in Indiana. The Chinese market continues to purchase from 12,000 to 14,000 units annually in a long-wheelbase version, 4Matic and 7G-Tronic transmission.
The R-Class received a rating of 'Good' for frontal crash and 'Acceptable' for side-impact crash from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Modifications to the interior door trim and seatbelts would improve the side impact rating to 'Good' with the 2009 model onward.
Trim levels include Basic, Standard, AMG, SE, Edition S, Grand Edition, and Sport:
- The Basic equipment includes ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, climate control, cruise control, driver's airbag, electric mirrors, folding rear seats, front electric windows, heated mirrors, height-adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, lumbar support, PAS, passenger's airbag, rear electric windows, remote locking, service indicator, side airbags, space saver spare wheel, steering wheel rake adjustment, steering wheel reach adjustment, and traction control.
- Standard Trim level includes electric driver's seat, and electric passenger's seat.
- SE trim level includes electric driver/passenger seats, and front fog lights.
- AMG trim level includes CD, CD multichanger, front fog lights, headlight washers, heated seats, leather seat trim, metallic paint, parking sensors, Sat Nav, and sports seats.
- Edition S trim level includes CD, CD multichanger, electric driver's seat, electric passenger's seat, front fog lights, metallic paint, parking sensors, and partial leather seat trim.
- Grand Edition trim level includes CD multichanger, electric driver's seat, electric passenger's seat, front fog lights, headlight washers, heated seats, metallic paint, parking sensors, and Sat Nav.
- Sport trim level includes electric driver's seat, electric passenger's seat, front fog lights, metallic paint, partial leather seat trim, and sports seats.
Engine options were not universal for both wheelbase versions but were all paired with the 7G-Tronic automatic transmission. Australia did not receive the AMG version or most of the petrol variants, while the power was transferred through four-wheel-drive only.
Powertrain specifications for the Australian market:
- R350 4MATIC Long and Standard, 3.0L V6 petrol engine, producing 231kW (310hp) at 5000rpm and 400Nm of torque at 1300-4500rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 222km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R500 4MATIC Long, 5.5L V8 petrol engine producing 285kW (382hp) at 6000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 2800-4800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R280 CDI 4MATIC Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine producing 190kW (255hp) at 4000rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1400-2800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.8 seconds, and a top speed of 210km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R300 CDI 4MATIC Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine producing 190kW (255hp) at 3800rpm and 440Nm of torque at 1400-2800rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 9.8 seconds, and a top speed of 210km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R320 CDI 4MATIC or RWD, Long or Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine producing 165kW (221hp) at 3800rpm and 510Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.7 seconds, and a top speed of 222km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R350 CDI BlueTec 4MATIC, Long or Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine producing 155kW (208hp) at 3400rpm and 540Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.9 seconds, and a top speed of 220km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R350 CDI 4MATIC, Long or Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine, producing 165kW (221hp) at 3800rpm and 510Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 8.7 seconds, and a top speed of 222km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- R350 CDI 4MATIC, Long or Standard, 3.0L V6 diesel engine, producing 195kW (261hp) at 3800rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds, and a top speed of 235km/h, paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
Author: Luka Kusic