Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class was a MPV introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 2005 for the 2006 model year. Following the success of the smaller A- and B-Class MPVs, Mercedes presented a concept vehicle, Vision GST (Grand Sports Tourer), at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show, subsequently introducing the production version at 2005 New York International Auto Show. The R-Class was manufactured in Vance, Alabama until 2013 when production moved to Mishawaka, Indiana.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Mercedes-Benz R350L Grand Edition
Overview
Manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler (2006–2007) Daimler AG (2007–2017)
Production	June 2005[1] – 2017
Model years	2006–2013 (worldwide); 2014–2017 (China)
Assembly	United States: Vance, Alabama (2005–2013; Mercedes-Benz U.S. International) Mishawaka, Indiana (2014–present; AM General)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W251
Related	Mercedes-Benz M-Class Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L M272 E30 V6 3.5 L M272 E35 V6 5.0 L M113 V8 5.5 L M273 V8 6.2 L M156 V8
Transmission	7-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic 7-speed 7G-TRONIC Plus automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	SWB: 2,980 mm (117.3 in) LWB: 3,215 mm (126.6 in)
Length	SWB: 4,922 mm (193.8 in) LWB: 5,156 mm (203.0 in)
Width	2006–2008: 1,922 mm (75.7 in) 2009–present: 1,958 mm (77.1 in)
Height	SWB (2006–2008): 1,674 mm (65.9 in) LWB (2009–2017): 1,661 mm (65.4 in)
Curb weight	2,130–2,375 kg (4,696–5,236 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Mercedes Benz V-Class

The R-Class shares its platform with the M-Class and GL-Class, and was available in two lengths, with either a 2,980 mm (117.3 in) or 3,215 mm (126.6 in) wheelbase. Marketed solely in North American market with the longer wheelbase, Mercedes discontinued the R-Class for North America and other markets in 2012 — continuing production for the Chinese market only until 2017. Most came with Bi-Xenon headlights.

Specifications

Powertrains

The entry with (Long) in parenthesis denotes availability in both standard and long wheelbases. Otherwise, the entry shows the standard wheelbase only. The Long without parenthesis denotes long-wheelbase version only. The asterisk next to the figures denotes the long-wheelbase R-Class. The double asterisk denotes the optional extra-cost AMG Driver's Package.

Model	Years	Configuration	Displacement	Power	Torque	0–100 km/h (0-62 mph)	Top Speed (km/h)	Fuel Consumption/Efficiency (EU-Norm combined)
Petrol engines
R 280	2007–2009	V6 (M272)	2996 cc	172 kW (234 PS; 231 bhp) at 5,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm	9.6 seconds 9.7 seconds*	222 km/h (138 mph)	10.9 L/100 km (21.6 mpg‑US) 10.9 L/100 km (21.6 mpg‑US)*
R 300	2009–2014	V6 (M272)	2996 cc	172 kW (234 PS; 231 bhp) at 5,000 rpm	300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm	9.6 seconds	222 km/h (138 mph)	11.0 L/100 km (21.4 mpg‑US)
R 320 4MATIC Long (China only)	2015–present	V6 (M 272 DE 30 AL)	2996 cc	200 kW (272 PS; 268 bhp) at 5,000 rpm	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm	7.8 seconds	240 km/h (149 mph)	10.5 L/100 km (22 mpg‑US)
R 350 (Long)	2007—2010 (2008, USA)	V6 (M 276 DE 35 AL)	3498 cc	200 kW (272 PS; 268 bhp) at 6,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm	8.1 seconds 8.2 seconds*	234 km/h (145 mph)	11.3–11.5 L/100 km (20.8–20.5 mpg‑US)
R 350 4MATIC (Long)	2006—2013 (2006-2012, USA)	V6 (M 276 DE 35 AL)	3498 cc	200 kW (272 PS; 268 bhp) at 6,000 rpm	350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) at 1,300–4,500 rpm	8.3 seconds 8.4 seconds*	230 km/h (143 mph)	11.6–11.9 L/100 km (20.3–19.8 mpg‑US)
R 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY (Long)	2012–2014	V6 (M 276 DE 35)	3498 cc	225 kW (306 PS; 302 bhp) at 6,500 rpm	370 N⋅m (273 lb⋅ft) at 3,500–5,250 rpm	7.8 seconds 7.9 seconds*	245 km/h (152 mph)	10.0–10.1 L/100 km (24–23 mpg‑US)
R 400 4MATIC Long (China only)	2014–present	V6 (M 272 DE 30 AL)	2996 cc	245 kW (333 PS; 329 bhp) at 5,250 rpm	480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) at 3,600–4,000 rpm	6.7 seconds	250 km/h (155 mph)	10.5 L/100 km (22 mpg‑US)
R 500 4MATIC (Long)	2006–2007 (2006-2007, USA)	V8 (M 113)	4966 cc	225 kW (306 PS; 302 bhp) at 5,600 rpm	460 N⋅m (339 lb⋅ft) at 2,700–4,750 rpm	6.9 seconds	245 km/h (152 mph)	13.2 L/100 km (17.8 mpg‑US)
R 500 4MATIC (Long)	2010–2014	V8 (M 273 E55)	5461 cc	285 kW (387 PS; 382 bhp) at 6,000 rpm	530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft) at 2,800–4,800 rpm	6.1 seconds 6.3 seconds*	250 km/h (155 mph)	13.2–13.4 L/100 km (17.8–17.6 mpg‑US)
R 63 4MATIC (Long)	2007 (2007, USA)	V8 (M 156)	6208 cc	375 kW (510 PS; 503 bhp) at 6,800 rpm	630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft) at 5,200 rpm	5.0 seconds 5.1seconds*	250 km/h (155 mph) 275 km/h (171 mph)**	16.3 L/100 km (14.4 mpg‑US)
Diesel engines
R 280 CDI 4MATIC	2007–2009	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA red)	2987 cc	190 kW (258 PS; 255 bhp) at 4,000 rpm	440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) at 1,400–2,800 rpm	9.8 seconds	210 km/h (130 mph)	9.3 L/100 km (25 mpg‑US)
R 280 CDI (Long)	2007–2009	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA red)	2987 cc	190 kW (258 PS; 255 bhp) at 4,000 rpm	440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) at 1,400–2,800 rpm	9.7 seconds 9.8 seconds*	210 km/h (130 mph)	9.0 L/100 km (26 mpg‑US)
R 300 CDI 4MATIC	2009–2010	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA red)	2987 cc	190 kW (258 PS; 255 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) at 1,400–2,800 rpm	9.8 seconds	210 km/h (130 mph)	9.3–9.5 L/100 km (25–25 mpg‑US)
R 300 CDI BlueEfficiency (Long)	2009–2012	V6 (OM 642)	2987 cc	190 kW (258 PS; 255 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	440 N⋅m (325 lb⋅ft) at 1,400–2,800 rpm	9.5 seconds 9.8 seconds*	215 km/h (134 mph) 210 km/h (130 mph)*	7.6–7.8 L/100 km (31–30 mpg‑US) 8.6 L/100 km (27 mpg‑US)*
R 320 CDI (Long)	2007–2009	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA)	2987 cc	165 kW (224 PS; 221 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft) at 1,600–2,400 rpm	8.7 seconds 8.8 seconds*	222 km/h (138 mph)	8.7 L/100 km (27 mpg‑US) 8.8 L/100 km (27 mpg‑US)*
R 320 CDI 4MATIC (Long)	2006–2009 (2007-2009, USA)	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA)	2987 cc	165 kW (224 PS; 221 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft) at 1,600–2,400 rpm	8.7 seconds 8.8 seconds*	222 km/h (138 mph)	8.7 L/100 km (27 mpg‑US) 8.8 L/100 km (27 mpg‑US)*
R 350 BlueTec 4MATIC Long	2009–2012 (2010-2012, USA)	V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA)	2987 cc	155 kW (211 PS; 208 bhp) at 3,400 rpm	540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) at 1,600–2,400 rpm	8.9 seconds	220 km/h (137 mph)	8.4–8.5 L/100 km (28–28 mpg‑US)
R 350 CDI 4MATIC (Long)	2009–2010	V6 (OM 642 LS DE 30 LA)	2987 cc	165 kW (224 PS; 221 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft) at 1,600–2,400 rpm	8.7 seconds 8.8 seconds*	222 km/h (138 mph)	8.5 L/100 km (28 mpg‑US)
	2010–2012			195 kW (265 PS; 261 bhp) at 3,800 rpm	620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) at 1,600–2,400 rpm	7.6 seconds	235 km/h (146 mph)

Transmissions

All models except for R 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY (Long), R 400 4MATIC Long, R 300 CDI BlueEfficiency, and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC use seven-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic transmissions. The latter four models use seven-speed 7G-TRONIC plus automatic transmission. Unusual for AMG model, R 63 AMG did not use AMG Speedshift transmission.

Options

R Class in USA had many options to choose from in the sales brochure. Major options were Navigation, 7th seat between middle row center seats, panoramic sunroof, and premium (Harman Kardon) sound system.

Gallery

• 
  Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz V251
• 
  Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz V251 Rear
• 
  Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W251 Rear

Safety and security

The R-Class scored "Good" in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) front crash test but "Acceptable" in the side impact crash test due to the excessive load against the dummy's torso.[2][3] After modifying the seatbelts and interior door trim for the 2009 model year, the IIHS rated the R-class "Good" overall in side impacts allowing the R-Class to receive the Top Safety Pick award.[4]

In the United Kingdom, Thatcham Research's New Car Whiplash Ratings (NCWR) tested the R-Class and awarded it the top "Good" rating overall for its ability to protect occupants against whiplash injuries.[5] Thatcham Research's New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) awarded R-Class with five out of five stars for vehicular theft deterrent and four out of five stars for breaking-in deterrent.[6]

Updates

2007 changes

Mercedes-Benz announced in May 2007 that the R-Class model range would be expanded with more engine options and availability of rear-wheel-drive system for selected models in addition to 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. A new smaller 3-litre V6 is available in both petrol and diesel versions. The seating options became more flexible, offering five, six, or seven seats. AMG styling option was added to the extensive list of standard and extra-cost options.[7]

• 
  First facelift R320 CDI L with the AMG Line Package
• 
  First facelift R320 CDI L with the AMG Line Package Rear

2011 refresh

The R-Class received a facelift to the front and rear fascias, grille, side mirrors, and taillights for the model year 2011 to present. The revised model was unveiled at the 2010 New York International Auto Show.[8][9]

At the same time, the new 5.5-litre V8 motor was introduced to R-Class for the first time since the last R-Class with 5-litre V8 motor, R 500, was withdrawn from the market in 2007.[10] The reintroduced R 500 was not offered in the North American market. The North American market retained R 350 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, both in long wheelbase form, for 2011 and 2012.

• 
  2011–2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class (US)
• 
  2011-2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Rear

R 63 AMG

The AMG version of the W251, R 63 AMG, was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as a 2007 model. It features a handbuilt 6.2-litre M156 V8 engine producing 375 kW (510 PS; 503 bhp) and 630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft) of torque. The R 63 AMG was equipped with seven-speed AMG Speedshift 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission as found in ML 63 AMG and shares the same engine and 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.[11] The driver can manually select the gears by pressing the upshift and downshift buttons placed behind the steering wheel spokes if desired. No rear-wheel-drive option was offered in R 63 AMG. The top speed is electronically restricted to 250 km/h (155 mph) or 275 km/h (171 mph) with optional extra-charge AMG Driver's Package. Despite its heavy weight, the acceleration is brisk with 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time of 4.6 seconds.

A high performance version of R-Class wasn't well received due to the poor handling dynamics, especially with heavy V8 engine.[12] Due to extremely low sales figures caused by lack of advertisement, R 63 AMG was withdrawn from the market in 2007, making it a single model year.[13]

• 
  Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG W251
• 
  Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG W251
• 
  Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG V251

Chinese market

As of 2020, the long wheelbase R-Class is still produced and exported to China with two engine choices (R 300 4MATIC Long and R 400 4MATIC Long), both equipped with 7-speed 7G-TRONIC automatic gearboxes and 4MATIC drivetrain.[14] The R-Class enjoys steady popularity in China with annual sales between 12,000 and 14,000 units per year.[15] Due to the still rather low production numbers, the R-Class is assembled by contract manufacturer AM General in Indiana since 2015 to the present.[16]

Sales

Mercedes targeted 50,000 sales per year, half of those for the North American market. While the initial strong sales of first two model years, 2006 and 2007, the sales fell in 2008 following the recession, reaching less than ten percent of ML-Class sales.[17][18] Sales continued downward, and R-Class was discontinued in 2012 for the North American market and in 2013 for Europe and other markets — with exception of China where R-Class enjoyed popularity. Mercedes-Benz Metris introduced in 2014 is considered a successor to the R-Class for the North American market.

In Germany, the limited engine choices and lack of available rear-wheel-drive option at the launch led to slow sales with almost 4,500 units sold in 2006. The sales decline followed for a few years despite adding more engine choices and rear-wheel-drive option. The 2011 mid-cycle refresh increased the sales to almost 2,500 before dropping to less than 500 units for the final model year, 2013.[19]

Calendar year	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
US sales[20]	4,959	18,168	13,031	7,733	2,825	2,937	2,385	1,636	30	8	4
Germany sales	159	4,449	3,967	3,065	1,529	1,679	2,161	1,242	429
Europe sales[21]	226	11,740	10,735	7,960	4,042	3,507	4,422	2,607	1,133	29	8	3

The cause of poor sales performance is hard to attribute, considering multitude of possible reasons. One is the confusing marketing of what R-Class is: Mercedes-Benz tried to persuade the customers that R-Class represented a new category of luxury passenger vehicle with the attribution of station wagon/estate, crossover, SUV, and van rolled into one.[22] Additionally, Mercedes-Benz initially marketed R-Class as R-Class as a "Sports Cruiser" and later as a "Family Tourer".[23] It also suffered the "image problem" caused by ill-fated Chrysler Pacifica that looked too similar to R-Class and was similarly sized despite R-Class having more luxury features and better managed launch. Chrysler Division of parent company, DaimlerChrysler, had introduced Pacifica a few years prior to the R-Class introduction, and Pacifica was plagued with production and quality issues as well as poor marketing and severe lack of engine choices. Secondly, the customer preference had shifted away from MPV minivans and vans to CUV and SUV during the late 2000s and most of the 2010s. Thirdly, the Great Recession of 2008-2009 greatly impacted the automotive sales and consumer's confidence along with strong increase in fuel price, making R-Class less desirable due to its higher fuel consumption.

The mid-cycle refresh didn't help with sales at all despite improved fascia appearance more in line with ML-Class and GL-Class and better interior.

References

1. "About Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI)". Orion International. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
2. "IIHS-HLDI: Mercedes R class". Iihs.org. 2009-11-18. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
3. "IIHS-HLDI: Mercedes R class". Iihs.org. 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
4. "IIHS-HLDI: Mercedes R class". Iihs.org. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2010.
5. "Safety | New Car Whiplash Ratings | Car Search | Thatcham MIRRC". Thatcham.org. Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
6. "New Vehicle Security Ratings | Car Search | Car Results | Thatcham MIRRC". Thatcham.org. Archived from the original on 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
7. "The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". eMercedesBenz. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
8. Bowman, Zach. "First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better by a nose". Autoblog. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
9. Ewing, Steven J. (28 March 2010). "Brawnier 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class leaked ahead of New York debut". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-06-25.
10. Jordan, Markus (15 September 2010). "Die neue Generation der R-Klasse: ab 18.09. beim Händler". Mercedes-Benz Passion (in German).
11. https://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2007-mercedes-r63-amg-4matic-ar11581.html
12. "2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Reviews". Autoblog.com.
13. Quiroga, Tony (1 November 2006). "2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG". Car and Driver.
14. "R-Class". Mercedes-Benz China. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
15. Ramey, Jim (18 June 2015). "Could the Mercedes R-class return?". Autoweek.
16. "Commercial: Offering advantages that affect your bottom line, and ours: experience, scalability, cost-consciousness, and location". AM General. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
17. "Mercedes-Benz Posts Highest Sales Month for the Year With 20,025 Vehicles Sold in December". Prnewswire.com. 5 January 2010.
18. "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an 18 Percent Increase for 2010". Prnewswire.com. 4 January 2011.
19. "Kraftfahrt Bundesamt".
20. "Mercedes R-Class – US – By Year". Retrieved 3 November 2019.
21. "Mercedes-Benz R-Class". Retrieved 3 November 2019.
22. Bowman, Zach (16 January 2010). "First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class is better by a nose". Autoblog.
23. "Mercedes-Benz Canada from waybackmachine". Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2012-02-23.

External links

• Official website