R-Class Down Under in May

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed its innovative R-Class will launch Down Under in May 2006.

Dubbed a "Grand Sports Tourer" by the German marque, the segment-straddling performance/luxury AWD people-mover will go on sale from around $85,000. It will be offered in V6 petrol and turbodiesel models as well as a 225kW V8 petrol range-topper.

The R-Class features seating for six in individual bucket seats (three rows of two seat). At over 5.1m in length, the long wheelbase variant (pictured) rivals the marque's S-Class limo in stature. The short wheelbase version is just 230mm shorter.

Mercedes claims the V8 R-Class will reach 100km/h from standstill in under 7sec while the diesel-engined variant will return better than 9.0lt/100km (combined consumption).

Benz's own figures claim 920mm of legroom between the first and second rows of seats. The second-row seats can be adjusted individually (increasing legroom to a 990mm max), while the maximum distance between the second and third rows of seats (depending on seat position) is 920mm. Forget the soccer mums -- this one's for basketball bods! With the seats folded the resulting load bay is over 2.2m long.

“The R-Class boasts exceptional spaciousness, premium comfort and high variability, coupled with power, confidence and individuality. Thanks to powerful engines, a seven-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel-drive the R-Class is as dynamic as it looks,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director Mercedes Car Group Australia.

Like all of Mercedes-Benz latest passenger car releases, the R-Class will also feature a high level of safety equipment as standard. Unlike some overseas markets Australian R-Class deliveries will feature PRE SAFE -- M-B's "anticipatory protection system."

The system detects critical handling situations and prepare occupants and vehicle for collision by tightening the driver and front passenger's seat belts, adjusting the front passenger seat to the optimum position and automatically closing the sunroof.

As noted above, the R-Class will kick off at around $85,000 for the R 350 short wheelbase. CarPoint expects the range-topping R 500 long wheelbase model to kick in at around $140,000.

Keep an eye out for CarPoint's launch coverage on the R-Class closer to the local launch.