Setting The Trend
by David Morgan (09 Mar 06)

Mercedes will not sell many crossover R-Class people carriers, but a trend is being set for others to follow. Big, bulky and as spacious as an aircraft hangar, it's hardly a thing of beauty, but the R-Class is impeccably built and on the cusp of an entirely new sector.

The UK market is expected to consume no more than 2500 in a year, and of them 70% will be long-wheelbase versions, with 60% powered by Mercedes' outstanding R320 CDI turbo diesel. All R-Class models have 4Matic four-wheel drive and 7G-Tronic automatic seven-speed gearboxes. It's a match made in heaven and creates a six-seat luxury express which is part SUV, part 4x4 performance coupé and part estate.

The target audience are those trendies who naturally aspire to a large 4x4, but need something more people-orientated and spacious, with a touch of elegant practicality and the cache of four-wheel-drive. And the model they are likely to lust after most is the R320 CDI L with its long wheelbase and price tag of £39,975 in entry-level guise - but £42,925 with the SE pack on my test vehicle.

If ever there was a "star choice" model it has to be the R 320 CDI. The powerful three-litre V6 is a superb oil burner - smooth, quiet and good for an average 31mpg. On the road it handles the long-wheelbase R's bulk with little strain. There's a gruff engine note under hard acceleration, but at all other times the 224bhp unit with its 376lb/ft of torque is subdued and flexible. Maximum pulling power is available from just 1600rpm and peaks at 2800rpm - that gives the four-wheel drive monster brisk overtaking ability and an impressive 8.8 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint.

The R-Class is built on the new ML chassis. In standard guise it's already a mighty 4.9 metres long but my L model has both wheelbase and body extensions to bring it up to 5.1 metres. It delivers excellent interior space with plenty of legroom for all three rows, but at the expense of parking ease. Light power assistance and parking aids aside, this is one big mamma to slip into a standard supermarket space.

With the second and third pairs of seats folded neatly into the floor in seconds there's a huge cargo floor which helps the long-wheelbase R 320 CDI carry a payload of 655kg. From the tailgate to the back of the front seats there's 2.2 metres and a massive 2366 litres of space. Leave the middle row in place and there is still 1048 litres for cargo.

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