Mercedes-Benz R-Class: История, Модификации и Особенности

The Mercedes Benz R Class is a large luxury MPV introduced by Mercedes Benz in 2005 for the 2006 model year. Following the success of the smaller A and B Class MPVs, Mercedes in collaboration with coachbuilder Stola presented a concept vehicle, Vision GST (Grand Sports Tourer), at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show and a second one, Vision R presented at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, subsequently introducing the production version at 2005 New York International Auto Show. The R Class was manufactured in Vance, Alabama until 2015 when its production was shifted to Mishawaka, Indiana for a smaller volume production until 2017. The R Class (W251) shared its platform with the M Class (W164) and GL Class (X164) and was available in two wheelbase lengths: standard and long The R Class was sold in the United States and Canada in long wheelbase only. The R Class in both standard and long wheelbases were sold internationally until the end of 2013 with exception of China where R 320 and R 400 with long wheelbase continued to be sold until 2017.

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 was 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.

The R Class received a major update with facelift to the front and rear fascias, grille, side mirrors, and taillights for the model year 2011. The revised model was unveiled at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. 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V8 motor was introduced to R Class for the first time since the last R Class with V8 motors, R 500 and R 63 AMG, were withdrawn from the market in 2007. The reintroduced R 500 was not offered in the North American market. The North American market continued with R 350 4MATIC and R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, both in long wheelbase form and with V6 engines only, for 2011 and 2012.

The AMG version of the W251, R 63 AMG 4MATIC, was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as a 2007 model. It featured a handbuilt 6.2 litre M156 E 63 V8 engine producing and of torque. The R 63 AMG was equipped with same engine, seven speed AMG Speedshift 7G TRONIC, and 4MATIC all wheel drive system from ML 63 AMG and GL 63 AMG. 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 4MATIC. The top speed is electronically restricted to or with optional extra charge AMG Driver's Package. Despite its heavy weight, the acceleration was brisk with time of 4.6 seconds. A high performance version of R Class wasn't well received due to its poor handling dynamics, especially with the heavy V8 engine. With 200 units built for the worldwide sale, this model was the rarest of R Class and amongst the rarest AMG models. Due to extremely low sales and the lack of advertisement, R 63 AMG was withdrawn from the market in 2007, making it a single model year.

From 2014 to 2017, the long wheelbase R Class was sold in China only with one engine option in two different power outputs: R 320 4MATIC and R 400 4MATIC. The R Class enjoyed a steady popularity in China with annual sales between 12,000 and 14,000 units per year. Due to its small sales volume, the production was shifted from Alabama to Indiana where the R Class for Chinese market was assembled by contract manufacturer AM General from 2015 to 2017.

The entry with (Long) in parenthesie denotes availability in both standard and long wheelbases. Otherwise, the entry shows the standard wheelbase only. The Long without parentheses 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. ModelYearsConfigurationDisplacementPowerTorqueTop Speed (km/h)Fuel Consumption/Efficiency (EU Norm combined)Petrol enginesR 2802007–2009V6 (M272 KE 30)2996 cc at 5,000 rpm at 1,300–4,500 rpm9.6 seconds9.7 seconds**R 3002009–2013 at 5,000 rpm at 1,300–4,500 rpm9.6 secondsR 320 4MATIC Long(China only)2014–2017V6 (M 276 DEH 30 LA red.) at 5,000 rpm at 1,300–4,500 rpm7.8 secondsR 350 (Long)2007—2010(2008, USA)V6 (M 272 KE 35)3498 cc at 6,000 rpm at 2,400–5,000 rpm8.1 seconds8.2 seconds*R 350 4MATIC (Long)2006—2013(2006 2012, USA) at 6,000 rpm at 2,400–5,000 rpm8.3 seconds8.4 seconds*R 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY (Long)2012–2014V6 (M 276 DES 35) at 6,500 rpm at 3,500–5,250 rpm7.8 seconds7.9 seconds*R 400 4MATIC Long(China only)2014–2017V6 (M 276 DEH 30 LA)2996 cc at 5,250–6,000 rpm at 3,600–4,000 rpm6.7 secondsR 500 4MATIC (Long)2006–2007(2006 2007, USA)V8 (M 113 E 50)4966 cc at 5,600 rpm at 2,700–4,250 rpm6.9 secondsR 500 4MATIC (Long)2010–2014V8 (M 273 KE 55)5461 cc at 6,000 rpm at 2,800–4,800 rpm6.1 seconds6.3 seconds*R 63 4MATIC (Long)2007(2007, USA)V8 (M 156 E 63)6208 cc at 6,800 rpm at 5,200 rpm5.0 seconds5.1 seconds***Diesel enginesR 280 CDI 4MATIC2007–2009V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA red. )2987 cc at 4,000 rpm at 1,400–2,800 rpm9.8 secondsR 280 CDI (Long)9.7 seconds9.8 seconds*R 300 CDI 4MATIC2009–20109.8 secondsR 300 CDI BlueEfficiency (Long)2009–20129.5 seconds9.8 seconds***R 320 CDI (Long)2006–2009 V6 (OM 642 DE 30 LA) at 3,800 rpm at 1,600–2,400 rpm8.7 seconds8.8 seconds**R 320 CDI 4MATIC (Long)2006–2009(2007 2009, USA)8.7 seconds8.8 seconds**R 350 BlueTec 4MATIC Long2009–2012(2010 2012, USA) at 3,400 rpm at 1,600–2,400 rpm8.9 secondsR 350 CDI 4MATIC (Long)2009–2010 at 3,800 rpm at 1,600–2,400 rpm8.7 seconds8.8 seconds*2010–2012V6 (OM 642 LS DE 30 LA) at 3,800 rpm at 1,600–2,400 rpm7.6 seconds

All models except for R 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, R 400 4MATIC, 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.

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. 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. 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. 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.