Super TestCar reviews - Mercedes-Benz - R-class - 5-dr wagon rangeMercedes-Benz modelsResearch Mercedes-Benz OverviewR-class is the latest all-new niche model from Mercedes-Benz, but who will buy it?13 Apr 2006 By CHRIS HARRIS TWO things struck us after seeing the new R-class in the flesh for the first time. The tyres – 255/55 R18s – looked as though they would do justice to a small truck and the vehicle’s physical presence dominated everything else on the road, bar a road-train. How could this swoopy juggernaut possibly appeal to buyers outside North America, where the roads are wide and the people even wider? Mercedes-Benz Australia reckons there will be a small, but important, niche of buyers who’ll warm to the R-class, a vehicle with the practicality of the E-class wagon and commanding view and versatility of the M-class SUV. It is clearly a six-seater with excellent seat and headroom in both the second and third rows, both of which also fold flat for some serious load carrying capacity. Not surprisingly the M-class was the donor for many systems, including the all-wheel drive system, although there is no low-range: the latest Merc is not intended for off-road duties. Like the B-class, Mercedes-Benz has seen a niche and decided to fill it. Beyond the US of A, though, we think it will remain a vehicle for a select few. Model release date: 1 April 2006 to 1 November 2010 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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