Crossover 'Benz R launched

Mercedes-Benz's new crossover R-Class was given its Australian launch in Sydney this week.

Cornering a niche market the R-Class sits between a luxury SUV and an Estate wagon. Featuring car-like styling with permanent all-wheel drive the R-Class offers many of the features of an SUV without those that many bitumen-bound customers don't need.

Taking note of a general backlash towards SUVs Mercedes-Benz offers the R-Class for customers wanting a lighter, sleeker 4WD with better fuel economy.

Mercedes-Benz calls the R-Class a 4+2 seater car, which means it can seat six adults. The four rear seats though can be manoeuvred into different configurations -- including laid completely flat -- to stow a mountain bike or a bevy of golf bags.

The complete range consists of two body variants -- short and long wheelbase -- and four engines.

The base R 350 features a 200kW/350Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and a host of standard equipment and is priced from $82,900.

The more powerful R 500 features a 225kW/460Nm 5.0-litre V8 and is priced from $119,900.

A 3.0-litre V6 diesel CDI engine is also offered which produces 165kW and a healthy 500Nm. It is claimed to produce 8.9l/100km economy and is priced from $85,900. Mercedes predicts almost half of R-Class sales in Australia will be of this diesel variant.

A powerful AMG version will arrive later this year boasting a 6.2-litre AMG-tweaked V8 with 375kW and 630Nm.

All models feature seven-speed automatic transmissions, permanent 4Matic (4WD), 17inch (18inch on R 500) alloy wheels, park assist, six-disc CD changer and a complete compliment of safety features.

Sales begin in May.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class:
R 350 $82,900
R 350 long wheelbase $85,900
R 320 CDI (diesel) $85,900
R 320 CDI (diesel) long wheelbase $88,900
R 500 $119,900
R 500 long wheelbase $122,900
R 63 AMG $TBA
R 63 AMG long wheelbase $TBA

Watch out for CarPoint's full launch article later this week.