Mercedes R350 4MATIC review - Mercedes Class, family size

Creating new segments within the category of luxury automobiles has been a Mercedes-Benz tradition of sorts. But, when the R-Class was first introduced, there was a lot of speculation about whether this was going to capture a new niche.

A luxury family tourer? Will there be takers for a crossover-like, individual buyer oriented seven-seater? And isn't the buyer going to have to be older for a family van that can best be the second luxury car in the family?

These are questions I sought answers for when I took the R-Class for a long-term test drive. Here are my experiences with the new generation R350 4MATIC.

Design

Exterior design is clearly not the best feature to remember about the new R-Class. Looking like an over-grown, yet muscular version of what is intrinsically an estate or weekend Merc, the seven-seater R-class' size will be more often than not the reason why heads will turn rather than any exclusivity in its design.

The Mercedes-Benz character is all together easy to see in its design language, though, there is no kink or crevice that can be called an R-Class signature to be remembered by. Aside of its chunky, heavy front that offers it some distinctiveness, the R-Class' design is a combination of strong, simple strokes like the heavily creased belt-line and the crossover-like gradually sloping-to-the-rear roofline.

The rear of the R-Class is the tighter, more cohesive part of the vehicle, which can best be described as a luxury family van.

Gathered together at the rear, the trademark Mercedes-Benz design elements are all there. The classic tail-lamp design, large rectangular twin exhausts peeping out of the oversized rear bumper, and the LED/ reflector strips on the bumper are all classic SUV traits.

The only thumbs-down feature at the rear is the rather compact rear glass on the hatch door. Combined with a thick C-pillar and the absence of a rear camera, it makes reversing the R-Class a bit of a pain in the neck (literally) even though you get some assistance from the proximity sensors that start shrieking as you get uncomfortably close to any object.

Mercedes calls this system PARKTRONIC and it can get a bit annoying at times while driving in peak hour traffic.

Talking of SUV traits, it is pretty clear where the R-Class' size and features come from since it is the larger sibling of the M-Class and the GL-Class. Built on the W251 chassis, the R-Class is one unique ultra-luxury behemoth from the Mercedes stable.

The wheelbase of the (long wheelbase version) R-Class is more than ten feet…imagine a Nano sitting between the two wheels of the R with a few inches to spare!

The raised stance, the headlamp and bonnet grille design, the door mirrors, the tall seating position and the large steering wheel are all features that again make you refer back to the Merc SUVs.

The standard 18-inch alloys shod with broad 255/55 tyres fill out the wheel arches nicely and further the R-Class' impression of size and strength. Despite the R's bulk and its nearly two and half tonne kerb weight, its Cd value (co-efficient of drag – measure of aerodynamism) is an impressive 0.32 – as much as the Ferrari California!

Interior

Grab the handles, pull open the heavy doors and step into the R-Class and your immediate reaction is likely to be “Wow!”. The interior of the R 350 4MATIC that I test drove is as precise and as pleasing as most Mercedes vehicles can get. Giving me the impression of being even more plush and well-matched than the Merc SUVs, the R-Class' cabin is no compromise in both space and luxury.

It is a bit of a haul-up to get into the driver seat (very SUV-style), and then you are surrounded by plush black stitched leather seats and trim, wood veneer inserts on the dash and doors, a Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system, a rear seat (second row) entertainment system that includes two 8-inch LCD screens, a sliding panoramic sunroof and three-zone automatic climate control.

The spaciousness of the R-Class cabin is evident in every one of the three rows of seats. The middle or second row gets the potential for the most legroom, almost as much as in an S-Class.

The third row (two seats) will feel more cramped, but atleast they get individual air-con vents located on the side panels. Sitting on the driver's seat the third row looks like it is so far back that your conversations might take a while to reach occupants there.

But at least you won't need to raise your voice since the cabin is as quiet as any other car that bears the three-pointed star.

Engine and performance

One other reason for the rather quiet interior of the R-Class is probably also the choice of engine/ powertrain. Featuring the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is very refined and adequately powerful, the R350 4MATIC also features the famous Mercedes 7G TRONIC automatic transmission.

The 3,498cc, V6 engine generates a peak power output of 272 bhp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 350 Nm between 2,400 to 5,000 rpm.

Stepping on the gas in the R-Class pumps up the engine, but the hulking luxury van as a whole takes just a brief while to get into a fleet-footed mode.

The 7TRONIC transmission offers the choice between fully-auto mode and the steering mounted paddle-shifters manual mode. There is also a choice between Comfort and Sport suspension settings.

The R350 4MATIC's top speed is 230 kmph and the 0 to 100 run comes up in a fairly respectable 8.4 seconds.

The V6 engine's forte is refined performance and extreme levels of reliability. But, fuel efficiency is not one of its specialties. During my long term test drive it consumed an average of 15.2 litres of petrol per 100 kms while in city driving conditions and about 10.9 litres per 100 kms on the highway.

The best part about the R-Class is of course, its ride quality. Soft and ‘soaky' is the feeling you get about the suspension, especially at the rear seats. The R350's AIRMATIC suspension easily deadens potholes and speed-breakers alike giving you the impression of gliding over these undulations on the road.

Put it in sports mode, take on the paddle shifters and stomp the throttle and the R immediately seems to crouch and get more road grip as it readies to get into nimbler shoes.

The steering is delightfully precise and it gives the driver the ability to point the R-Class to the right spot on the road, though the steering wheel feels just a tad bit over sized to hold.

Cruise control and other similar bells and whistles that are Mercedes trademarks are all there. So is the case with the focus on safety – PRE-SAFE, airbags, ESP and daytime driving lights are all there.

Bottomline

The R-Class is best suited for existing Mercedes car owners, who are looking to buy another family tourer style vehicle to accommodate seven passengers in the same level of luxury and comfort that they are used to in the brand's sedans.

But, the R-Class will be severely hamstrung by the absence of a diesel engine in its range. The only powertrain on offer is the petrol and that makes it a thirsty beast. There is no official word on whether a diesel powertrain will make it here any time soon.

muraliswami@thehindu.co.in