Benz shows R-class in Melbourne

DAIMLERCHRYSLER fleshed out the alphabet at last week's Melbourne motor with the new R-class people-mover joining the new S-class sedan on centre stage.

The six-seater all-wheel drive R-class goes on sale from May, priced fromabout $85,000.

Three models will initially be available, the R500, R350 and R320CDi. The R500 features a 225kW 5.0-litre V8, while the R350 gets a 200kW 3.5-litre V6 and the R320 CDi a 170kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

All will be paired with Mercedes’ 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic.

The R-class will be joined by the new S-class, which is bigger, more luxurious and more powerful than the outgoing model.

It will be initially available in S500 guise, powered by a new 285kW/530Nm 5.0-litre V8, while a 200kW S350 V6 and lavish V12-powered S600 will follow later.

As expected, the top-shelf S600 develops 380kW/840Nm. Both V6 and V8 S-classes will be equipped with seven-speed automatics operated via Direct Select, a steering column stalk on the right-hand side, which dispenses with a traditional gearshifter.

Mercedes-Benz has also signalled its intention to offer a range-topping AMG version of the R-class by revealing the R63 Vision concept at Detroit this year, powered by a 6.3-litre AMG-fettled V8.