What Is It?
2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
What's Special About It?
Mercedes rolled out its new 2006 R-Class accompanied by a group of cartwheeling khaki-clad dancers that made it look like part Broadway show, part Gap commercial. The message was obviously we're "young and hip," but whether the vehicle itself will be able to transmit that same message is another story.
Longer, lower and more sedanlike than the M-Class SUV, the R-Class is still big at 203 inches. That's 4 inches longer than an Escalade, but it hides its size well thanks to a steeply raked windshield, gently arcing window line and wraparound hatch glass.
Professor Peter Pfieffer, senior vice president of design at Mercedes-Benz, told us that his goal was roominess and emotion blended together. "Good proportions were key to combining elegance and space into one package."
That philosophy continues in the cabin as the R-Class features three rows of seats with two captain's chairs in each row. Each of the second and third rows can be folded flat individually and with all four seats folded the R-Class provides 72.2 cubic feet of cargo space, 2 cubic feet more than a Cadillac SRX.
Two models will be offered: a V6-powered R350 and a V8-powered R500. With 268 horsepower and a standard seven-speed transmission, Mercedes claims a 0-to-60 time of 7.8 seconds. That time drops to just 6.5 seconds with the 302-hp R500. Both models come standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel-drive system and four-wheel traction control.
The fully independent suspension uses coil springs with the standard setup, but an optional height-adjustable air suspension is also available. Other notable options include an AMG Sport package with 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a power-operated rear liftgate. With pricing expected to start at just under $50K, a well-equipped R-Class isn't going to be cheap.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It's bound to be a nice drive, but convincing buyers that it deserves a premium over the M-Class could be difficult. When we asked Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S.A., what makes the R-Class different, he responded, "I'm a car guy and I would drive this vehicle, that's the difference." We'll see if he's right when the R-Class goes on sale later this year. — Ed Hellwig
2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
What's Special About It?
Mercedes rolled out its new 2006 R-Class accompanied by a group of cartwheeling khaki-clad dancers that made it look like part Broadway show, part Gap commercial. The message was obviously we're "young and hip," but whether the vehicle itself will be able to transmit that same message is another story.
Longer, lower and more sedanlike than the M-Class SUV, the R-Class is still big at 203 inches. That's 4 inches longer than an Escalade, but it hides its size well thanks to a steeply raked windshield, gently arcing window line and wraparound hatch glass.
Professor Peter Pfieffer, senior vice president of design at Mercedes-Benz, told us that his goal was roominess and emotion blended together. "Good proportions were key to combining elegance and space into one package."
That philosophy continues in the cabin as the R-Class features three rows of seats with two captain's chairs in each row. Each of the second and third rows can be folded flat individually and with all four seats folded the R-Class provides 72.2 cubic feet of cargo space, 2 cubic feet more than a Cadillac SRX.
Two models will be offered: a V6-powered R350 and a V8-powered R500. With 268 horsepower and a standard seven-speed transmission, Mercedes claims a 0-to-60 time of 7.8 seconds. That time drops to just 6.5 seconds with the 302-hp R500. Both models come standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, full-time all-wheel-drive system and four-wheel traction control.
The fully independent suspension uses coil springs with the standard setup, but an optional height-adjustable air suspension is also available. Other notable options include an AMG Sport package with 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof and a power-operated rear liftgate. With pricing expected to start at just under $50K, a well-equipped R-Class isn't going to be cheap.
What's Edmunds' Take?
It's bound to be a nice drive, but convincing buyers that it deserves a premium over the M-Class could be difficult. When we asked Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S.A., what makes the R-Class different, he responded, "I'm a car guy and I would drive this vehicle, that's the difference." We'll see if he's right when the R-Class goes on sale later this year. — Ed Hellwig
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