2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Review

The new Mercedes-Benz R-Class is the subject of the latest guessing game in the auto industry. Specifically, what type of vehicle is this 2006 model, which goes on sale in October?

Nobody has the answer yet. The radical-looking all-wheel-drive R-Class isn't a sports sedan, station wagon, minivan or sport-utility vehicle. But it has features of all those vehicles, thanks to innovative technology and an out-of-the-box design.

"The market in which the R-Class fits hasn't been defined, so people don't know what to call it,'' said Ron Mueller, manager of Luxury Sport-Utility and Touring vehicles for Mercedes-Benz USA at a recent R-Class preview here.

However, technical leader Mercedes didn't make it overly complicated. Mercedes-Benz USA President Paul Halata said at the preview that Mercedes "overdid it'' by giving some new Mercedes models technical features that weren't received well in America. 2006 MERCEDES-BENZ R-CLASS 

"We found our American customers don't want as many technical features as those in Europe,'' Halata said.

Not that Mercedes has stopped being innovative. It says the R-Class is a "new class of vehicle.'' It rather vaguely calls it a "sports tourer,'' but also an "automotive decathlete -- a vehicle that can excel at an unprecedented range of owner needs.''

A 160-mile drive on narrow, twisting mountain roads, back roads and freeways here showed that the R-Class comfortably handled all of them while coddling occupants in its posh, feature-packed interior without making a driver sweat. The full-time all-wheel-drive system, electronic traction control and advanced all-independent suspension and powerful brake system helped out.

The R-Class looks like a coupe or sports sedan from the front, an SUV from the rear and a long station wagon or modified minivan from the side. The different styling elements combine to make the R-Class distinctive from anything on the road. The shape is reminiscent of lowered custom cars of the 1950s, especially around rear roof pillars. Only the R-Class profile shows the extreme 203-inch length of this wedge-shaped, aggressive-looking vehicle

The two R-Class models are the R350, which costs $48,000 with its new 3.5-liter 268-horsepower V-6. The price is $55,500 for the R500 with its 302-horsepower V-8, which propels a variety of Mercedes models.

The R-Class is loaded with comfort and convenience features, including power front seats, wood trim, load-leveling suspension and rain-sensing wipers. There also are plenty of safety items because Mercedes is as big on safety as Volvo.

Options include a height-adjustable air suspension, regular power sunroof and fixed panoramic sunroof over the second- and third-row seats with a glass panel nearly six feet long that floods the interior with light.

The smooth engines work with the world's first production seven-speed automatic transmission, instead of the usual four-, five- or fairly rare six-speed automatics.

The transmission works so well with the V-6 that one doesn't really need the V-8, although the V-8 doesn't work as hard to move the R-Class; it weighs a hefty 4,766 pounds with the V-6 and 4,845 pounds with the V-8.

The R350 sprints to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, while the R500 hits that speed in 6.5 seconds. High-speed cruising is effortless with either engine. Top speed is 130 mph.

Mercedes tests show fuel economy of the R350 to be 22 mpg on the highway, with the R500 delivering 20 mpg. City economy figures are probably in the mid-teens.

A small steering column stalk controls the transmission. It's really an electrical switch. A driver just moves the stalk up or down a short distance to get reverse and drive gears and taps the end of it to place the transmission in park mode. Once under way, one can use manual shift buttons on the steering wheel to change gears.

Most controls in the wood-and-leather interior are easy to reach and use without grabbing the owner's manual to discover how they work. But it's easy to confuse the steering-column cruise control stalk with the nearby turn signal lever.

The built-in bottle/can opener that surrounds the front console cupholders is cleverly disguised as a shiny trim piece. Mercedes long felt that cupholders distracted a driver and never would have put an item such as the opener in a vehicle.

Things sure have changed. Mercedes put the small automatic transmission lever in the R-Class so it could install really large front console beverage containers, Mueller said.

Mercedes says the R-Class is a "brand new way for six adults to travel'' -- in sublime comfort, one might add. Each occupant has a window seat because there are three pairs of single seats, allowing individual seats for all.

It's easy to get in and out through wide doors, and each occupant can "create their own sense of space'' with individual reading lights, armrests, air vents and cupholders -- besides adjustments for each seat and separate-source audio plugs.

There's also an optional iPod integration kit and dual-screen video entertainment system. One occupant can watch a movie on one screen, while the other can watch another DVD or play a video game.

Both rear seat rows can be folded down to allow an impressive 85 cubic feet of cargo space. Even a bulky trail bike fits. But there's only modest cargo space with the third-row seats in their upright position. At least the third-row seat can be easily reached.

I sat in the right front, middle and rear seats and found the ride comfortable -- even though the third-row seats are above the rear axle, a location that normally might cause a bouncy ride.

Mercedes says R-Class buyers mainly will be "affluent baby boomers aged 40 to 54, late-forming families with two to three kids and empty nesters,'' said Mercedes product specialist Vince Piarulli. "They'll be trend-setters and early adopters -- well-educated, emotionally rational decision makers, but influenced heavily by style and design.''

Mercedes estimates that 75 percent of buyers will opt for the R350 because the R-Class mainly is a practical, luxurious and prestigious vehicle, not one bought for the fastest acceleration.

The R-Class is made in the Alabama plant that makes the newly revamped Mercedes M-Class mid-size sport-utility vehicle.

"We're starting production slow with the R-Class to ensure really good quality,'' said Bill Taylor, who is the Alabama plant boss. "We've got assembly line robots, but it all comes down to our workers in the end to get a quality product.''

Closest rivals to the R-Class are the Cadillac SRX and Chrysler Pacifica. The R-Class has an incredibly long 126.6-inch wheelbase (distance between axles.) That helps allow lots of interior room and cargo space, besides a smooth ride. The SRX and Pacifica have a 116-inch wheelbase.

The R-Class is lower than the SRX and Pacifica and is 4.1 inches longer overall than the Pacifica and fully 8 inches longer than the SRX. The R-Class is even 14.5 inches longer overall than the M-Class.

Mercedes broke new ground with its sensational 1950s 300SL sports car with flip-up doors, but traditionally has been more conservative than rivals such as BMW. But it's become more daring in recent years, and the R-Class is one of its most adventuresome models. 

PRICES:
$48,000-$55,500

LIKES:
Roomy. Stylish. Fast. Luxurious. Innovative design.

DISLIKES:
Cruise control stalk easily confused with turn signal lever. Little cargo room behind upright third-row seats.