Mercedes-Benz R
350L
The
Mercedes-Benz R 350L may defy convention, but it doesn't
defy logic…
What's
New
In some ways, the R 350L is as new as it gets. It's a new
model to Mercedes-Benz, the company never having produced
anything called an 'R-Class' before, and is a new concept,
defying genres to a degree that moved Mercedes to call it
a "Grand Sports Tourer", mixing elements of MPV,
SUV and luxury limo into a sportily-clothed whole.
Mechanically,
on the other hand, the R 350L is no newborn. It shares underpinnings
with the M-Class (Mercedes-Benz's response to Land Rover's
Discovery) and employs the same all wheel-drive system.
However,
there's no off-roading ability here. Instead, you get less
ground clearance than in the M-Class, sportier suspension
tuning, and six seats (in three rows of two) which play
superb folding tricks to create up to 2,385 litres of cargo
room.
The
R-Class is available here in 3.5-litre V6 (R 350L) and 5.0-litre
V8 (R 500L) versions, both in stretched wheelbase configuration,
which suggests that buying one to be chauffeured around
in is a viable option.
How
it Performs
On the road and around corners, the R 350L is far better
than its off-roading sibling, the M-Class. It readily musters
more grip from the tyres and turns into corners with a surefootedness
that belies its 2.2 tonne mass.
There's
the lofty view of the road ahead that you'd expect of something
so tall, but body roll is kept nicely in check and the overall
handling is sharp enough to make the "Sports Tourer"
tag a credible one.
The
engine puts up a decent show, too, helped in no small part
by the seven-speed gearbox's wide spread of ratios. The
R 350L pulls away from standstill nicely, and once on the
move, is able to pick up speed for overtaking in a manner
that makes you doubt whether paying the extra road tax for
the additional 36bhp of the 5.0-litre would really be worthwhile.
How
it Stacks Up
In the main, contemplating an R-Class doesn't really involve
much else in the motoring universe - can you name another
all wheel-drive luxury six-seater? So if anything, it's
worth thinking about as an alternative to an S-Class (or
BMW 7 Series, for that matter), in which case it's likely
to win friends with its seating layout.
Space
is generous, even for back row occupants, and the two-two-two
configuration works well to impart a sense of business class
travel. The fact that the seats can be folded easily, giving
the R-Class MPV-like versatility, is another plus for the
practical-minded to consider.
On
the downside, the R-Class is a physically imposing car,
and its sheer bulk might make it a challenge to park. Then
again, we did say it would make sense with a chauffeur…
| Technical Specifications |
|
MODEL
Mercedes-Benz R 350L
ENGINE
Engine: 3,498cc, 24V V6
Max Power: 272bhp at 6,000rpm
Max Torque: 350Nm at 2,400rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed automatic
TOP SPEED
230km/h
0-100km/h
8.4s
|
