A while ago in March, at this year’s New York International Auto Show, the Mercedes-Benz R-Class made its world debut. It more or less looked like the car maker was gauging the response of the audience. The positive feedback the great car received was well deserved, and Mercedes-Benz is now convinced that it is on the right track.
The new-generation R-Class flaunts a completely redesigned front fascia which boosts the model’s overall looks. The R-Class has taken styling tips from other Mercedes-Benz saloon and SUV models. So, with no excuses, the car had to look great. Right now, Mercedes-Benz says that it has lots of surprises packed for India. So, shall we assume that the R-Class is gonna come to India? If it comes, we know it’s going to come in the CBU format, but never mind. And, what price will the car carry? Oh, we are too excited at the moment! Let’s wait.
The R-Class has been completely re-worked upon. The enhanced premium qualities now add to the new car’s appeal. To add to the superb features is Mercedes Benz’s BlueEFFICIENCY strategy that makes the R-Class one of the most economical and eco-friendly MPV in the premium segment.
The interiors are fresh, the exteriors unsullied. We therefore have the perfect combination of optimum use of space found in the latest MPV models with the comfort, swanky appeal and esteem of classic Mercedes-Benz luxury-class saloons. The interiors, however, like the earlier R-Class are as versatile as ever. The sturdiness and all-wheel drive capabilities have also been maintained. The R-Class comes in the petrol variants as earlier with the customary unproblematic power delivery and high drive comfort. But, the appeal of the R-Class is now also enhanced by a range of enhanced diesel motors.
The same output but improved performance, that’s the new-generation R-Class. A little detailed comparison. The maximum performance displayed earlier was 224 bhp while the new R300’s V6 diesel boasts 265 bhp and 620 Nm torque. The new R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY consumes approximately 7 per cent less fuel, at 7.6 litres per 100 km.
The new R 350 CDI 4MATIC delivers the performance of a V8 model with fuel efficiency of an easy-on-the-pocket V6 variant. The new car can run a hundred kilometre with just 8.5 litres of diesel, thus undercutting its predecessor by 0.8 litres, yet is able to offer significantly superior performance. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes merely 7.6 seconds and the peak speed is 235 km/h.
The R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC is considered to be one of the cleanest diesel models in the world. The V6 motor delivers 211 bhp and torque of 540 Nm. Even this model uses lesser fuel and gives out lesser emissions while offering better performance than its predecessor. Thanks to AdBlue© exhaust after-treatment, the compression-ignition engine consumes an average of 0.3 of a litre less, at 8.4 litres of diesel per one hundred kilometres, generating in the process the same level of emissions as a comparable petrol engine.
The BS IV norms came in and we saw some fantastic cars vanish into thin air. Now, let the EU6 emission norms too come into effect in 2014, this car is going to remain unharmed. It already meets the EU6 standard emission values. All other petrol and diesel versions of the R-Class meet the EU5 standard.
