2008 Mercedes-Benz R350 Reviews

By way of explanation the German car manufacturer has a tradition of naming its vehicles after letters, with cars like the A-Class, recently released B-Class and the best selling C-Class – to a name a few.Joining this exclusive but rapidly growing list of models this week is the all-new R-Class, a six-seater that is difficult to pigeon hole.It's not quite a wagon, not quite a 4WD and not quite a people mover – but combines elements of each.The seemingly endless flow of models from Benz and other manufacturers is a reflection of the fact that car companies can no longer afford to build one, two or even three basic vehicles and hope to be all things to all people.These days car buyers are a far more discerning lot and manufacturers are being forced to assemble a much wider variety of models designed to cater for smaller, niche groups in the community – with some vehicles often sharing the same platform under the skin.Volkswagen is the Jedi master of this finely honed craft and it is a lesson that has obviously not been lost on its German compatriot.The recently released B-Class is a good example because it sits on a stretched version of the smaller A-Class platform.The new R-Class follows in these footsteps.With seating for six people in a two plus two plus configuration, and with all seats facing forward, the big Benz sits on the same platform as the off road M-Class wagon and features the same engines and all-wheel drive power train.It is built at Benz's Tuscaloosa plant in the American state of Alabama, right alongside the M-Class.R-Class comes in short and long wheelbase versions with a choice of V6, V8 and turbodiesel engines, priced from $82,900 to more than $122,000.There's even an AMG R63 version that will join the lineup later this year, at a price yet to be named.Standard equipment includes front and rear parking sensors as well as self-levelling rear air suspension.Front, side and curtain airbags are standard.We got to go for a spin this week in the V8 powered long wheelbase R500 with all the trimmings.Initial impressions suggest a large stylish wagon, with a long swept back roof line.But closer inspection reveals subtle differ- ences, like the higher ride height, all-wheel drive underpinnings and versatile seating layout – even if it adds only one extra seat.At 5157mm and weighing in at 2240kg, there's no concealing the size and weight of the beast.The flagship 5.0-litre V8 as tested is expected to account for about 13 per cent of sales, but its the 3.0-litre CDI diesel that will take the lion's share with almost 50 per cent.The V8 delivers 225kW of power and 460Nm of torque from 2700rpm and is capable of pushing the wagon from 0 to 100km/h in 7.0 seconds, with a top speed of 245km/h.You can see from the figures it's no slouch despite its bulk.The engine in all models is paired with a seven-speed auto, with power channelled to all four wheels through a fulltime all-wheel drive system split evenly between front and rear wheels.As in the M-Class, the shift lever is located on the steering column with gear shift buttons on the rear of the wheel.The ride height can be altered electronically for dirt roads, but that is about all the four- wheel driving this car is likely to see.The dampers can also be set for sport or comfort.There's the usual Benz arsenal of electronics to keep the car in check.Performance is good but not sensational and pushed hard the sheer bulk wants to carry the vehicle wide on bends.Fuel consumption is rated at 13.3L/100km, but we got about 13.8L/100km during testing.Although Benz is loathe to admit it, the R-Class is more of a people mover than anything else, but with six seats it is limited.Still, it's a stylish one, but one that will have limited appeal.Benz admits that it doesn't expect to sell huge numbers, probably about 350 a year – but it all ads up.The car has been on sale in the States since October, but while it is meeting expectations it has not surpassed them. 

Designed as an on-road family wagon, it has proportions that are beyond that of what others market as a people mover.In standard wheelbase, it's 4922mm long, 1922mm wide and 1656mm tall. With a 3215mm wheelbase, its length grows to 5157mm, with much of the 235 extra millimetres aiding the middle-row occupants.Its maker – who is also laying claim to starting the luxury SUV segment with the M-Class almost a decade ago – is spruiking it as part SUV, part family wagon and part luxury sedan.It's being marketed as a four plus two – a four-seater machine with serious luggage capacity, or a six-seater that still has adequate space.Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden says the R-Class caters for people who need extra space without compromising on-road dynamics. It is luxurious, powerful and stylish."Thanks to powerful engines, a seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel-drive, the R-Class is as dynamic on the road as it looks," he says.The model range will start at $82,900 for the standard wheelbase, rising through to $122,900 for a long-wheelbase R500.The base-model R350 runs the now-familiar 3.5-litre V6, which produces 200kW and 350Nm between 2400 and 5000rpm.The entire range uses the seven-speed automatic transmission, controlled via a column-mounted stalk and buttons on the wheel – even the hot-rod AMG R63, due late 2006, will also use the new gearbox with its 6.2-litre 375kW/630Nm V8-engine.The other petrol power plant is the five-litre V8, producing 225kW and 460Nm, with the torquey 165kW/510Nm R320 turbo-diesel expected to arrive by the end of the month.Among the standard fare on the R-Class are 17in wheels, multi-zone climate control, traction and stability control, all-wheel-drive, dual front airbags, side and window airbags front and rear, anti-lock brakes, eight-speaker 6CD sound system, load limiters and pre-tensioners for all seat belts, tyre pressure monitoring system and rain-sensing wipers. The R 500 V8 top-of-the-range model, adds among other things 18in wheels, leather trim, electrically adjustable front seats and steering wheel, DVD satellite navigation, electrically folding and automatically dimming exterior and rear-view mirrors, air suspension with adaptive damping and a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system.Also available on the R-Class is the sports package which ups the wheel size to 19in and adds some sports trim and a new instrument cluster.The only model sampled during the launch drive was the R500 long-wheelbase model, which has styling cues from a number of different Benz models, but the main achievement of the design has been to initially hide its size.The R-Class is a big wagon and that becomes apparent as you get to know it inside and out. Much of the interior has been donated by the M-Class – hence Benz's assertion the R is more like a passenger-car version of the Benz four-wheel-drive.Getting comfortable behind the wheel is never difficult, getting under way is also easy apart from grabbing for a conventional auto transmission selector, but even with a V8 under the snout there needs to be a solid prod for serious forward momentum. It will saunter along easily once up and running, but the R-Class weighs over 2200kg so there's plenty of bulk to be overcome.Dynamically, the R-Class provides a comfortable ride, with the adjustable suspension keeping body roll in check but getting a little jiggly on rippled bitumen – comfort mode takes some of that away.It can cover ground easily but never feels light on its feet.However, transporting four to six people in comfort will be completed without issue, thanks to a flexible and roomy interior, with DVD screens, climate control and adjustable seats making passengers feel at home.The R-Class will move six people in comfort, with plenty of safety equipment and luxury features on offer.