Test drive Mercedes benz R-Class from 2010 Minivan
Mix class
Once cars of Mercedes-Benz for all associated with the prestigious, expensive coupes, sedans, convertibles. Now, in the garage of the German company has a clutch of vehicles made at the junction of genres, by and large minivans, however designated their German marketers.
This refers to the signature classes A, B and, now, R. Introduction to the largest class hybrid that manages to combine the features of machines, designated by letters A, B, M and S. Ethnicity R350 is difficult to accept unconditionally. Profile magnificent. Even dlinnobaznaya version (from nose to tail for more than five meters) high profile on the small side wheels looks dynamic and does not ponderous. Line silhouette graceful movement unites the hood, front and rear racks. But the car does not look so good in your eyes. Perhaps North American buyers, which is primarily designed car will appreciate the indefinite mood of eyes round headlights. I also like the style alien. Not hurt. Car feed, in my opinion, is much more attractive.
The interior of the claims is almost there. A true Mercedes-Benz! But if you're sitting behind the wheel of the ML, in the R-Class you probably will happen flashback. The instrument panel is almost the same, and the location of the COMMAND control unit in the center console is very similar. Distinguishes the dashboard less expressive design. Interior is made up of high-quality expensive materials. The only thing that caused the rejection of the subjective, the abundance of black. Light tone that is more to the interior face. The car is declared as a six bed. In the present configuration at each of these places should theoretically fit adult. From the front, everything is clear to them all will feel great. Is that the driver of habit may complain about the complicated steering column switch on the left, which is given by the light control function, windscreen wipers and washers. But the gear stick compact and convenient it is on the other side, behind the wheel. A large cup holders between the seats.
The second row is also very good. On individual indicators even better than front (for example, optional LCD monitors are mounted in front seats head restraints). However, only two is all the case in the boxing armrest, separating the chair. But they have a longitudinal adjustment, the angle of inclination of the back also changes. All four doors are wide and access to the cabin provide an excellent and third landing row. Several uncomplicated manipulations, and two more chairs appear from the floor of the luggage compartment. Get back it is possible, slightly shifting the seats of the second row. Lengaded Mercedes-Benz R350 is a full six- and even a seven-seater car (depending on the configuration). It is clear that NBA stars are better not to plant, but the passengers of the average set even in the trunk will be convenient.
Non-surrender owner R350 Surely prefer to replace satellites by cargo. After working with four seats, it will receive the amount of useful space in 2.4 m3! Will there be an R-class owner to engage like things? Will, if we are talking about an active holiday! During the test, passengers, discussing how r-class goes, put it in one row with the representative sedan Mercedes-Benz and the ML SUV. In such estimates there is no R350 error really took a lot from them. The suspension is entirely borrowed from the SUV, this concerns both the spring and pneumatic version. In addition, cars have identical motors and gearboxes (however, these nodes are found on many other company models). The test copy had a $ 3.5 l and, of course, a 7-speed 7G-Tronic machine. You can also order an option with a 5-liter V8 for such Mahina will be by the way. R class exclusively all-wheel drive car. And, again, transmissia was taken from ML. By the way, both models are collected at one American factory, in Alabama. 
Well, where does the S-class, you ask? And despite the fact that the sense of the trip in the Mercedes-Benz car of the highest rank occurs immediately as soon as the R350 rushes from the place. Pneumatic suspension and tires with a big profile turn any way to the holiday of life. Moreover, the sports regime as a whole does not greatly affect the level of comfort, but only makes the car's reaction clearer. Surprisingly, how the running part of this Mercedes-Benz copes with a disgusting of disgusting quality. Calmly, play! At the S-class level. By the way, by contacting the personal experience of communicating with ML with spring and pneumatic suspensions, it would be risked to assume that in the case of R350, the first option would not be strongly imparted by an expensive alternative. In addition, R350 goes smasher ML, because it has a wheelbase more. For the first time, sowing behind the wheel of the R-class, I was cautious for some time, got used to the dimensions. In terms of the sizes occupied on the highway, the crossover is comparable to a small minibus. Parking also accounted for caustic, but the parking sensors were helped and the possibility of increasing clearance (sometimes it is simply necessary to come to the curb to the border that the feed does not overlap the passage).
Curb weight of the crossover is 2200 kg solid indicator. At the level of the already mentioned executive class. However, R-class is significantly higher than the center of gravity. Yes, and high-profile tires contribute to injections in turns. Will the novelty be sure with a dynamic ride? For the purity of the experiment, we turn off the system of dynamic stabilization. I press the gas pedal to metal, and the car tightly takes from the place under the accompaniment of the six, stubborn behind the layers of sound insulation. The accelerator pedal works in two-stage mode. You can go half, then the automatic machine will act impose, and you can sell a step, putting more effort, and then the car is glad to realize all its potential. I confess, before the beginning of the test I thought that it would probably be a 3.5-liter engine that would be not enough for this giant, albeit almost 280 hp The error came out.
As in the case of the ML350, I will sing the diffilaments and the engine, and a terminated 7-speed automaton with pinned gear ratios. This couple makes a heavy mini-Ven enough car. Perhaps the first km / h is given R350 not so easy, but then the speed set goes intensively on the track the car easily reaches a 200 km / h mark and continues to overclocking up to 230 km / h. At high speed R350 behaves reliably. A clear zero on the steering wheel, the trajectory displacements, of course, is, but are easily controlled. I think with wide low-profile wheels, the R-Class would show themselves even better. There is no doubt about the chassis capabilities of its potential revealed by the demonic R63 AMG. However, many will need civilian wheels to leave away from civilization and relax in nature. The R-class can provide decent permeability. Gena!
It should be noted that in turns a long high car showed himself well. True, a test copy lacked the sharpness of the steering and the accuracy of reactions to the minimum steering movements. But when driving at the limit of misunderstanding between the driver and the car is not observed. Naturally, provided that the first makes a discount on the class, dimensions and purpose of the model. By the way, it can be safely recommended by security services. Practice has shown that the R-class from Mercedes-Benz has only one minus novelty. The consumer is not yet used to such a car, she just began to fit into the system of automotive values. Symbiosis of the SUV, mini-Wen and the sedan of the representative class turned out to be successful. Some are already enjoying this mix, and many others urgently break stereotypes.
The car is provided by the representative office of Diamlerchrysler
Prices and equipment
Dealers offer customers with a 7-speed automatic transmission and motor V6 3.5 liters or V8 5.0 liters. Standard package includes: front, side and window airbags, multifunctional steering wheel with leather trim, combined upholstery fabric / leather, on-board computer, partial electrically regulating front seats, permanent four-wheel drive, ABS, ASR, BAS, ESP, auto inclusion sensor Light, alloy wheels R17, tire pressure sensor, Speedtronic.
The list of additional equipment is very extensive. You can order a metallic color, parking sensors, dimming mirrors, a multimedia system, a panoramic sliding roof with an electric drive, a pneumatic suspension, a multizone climate installation, bixenon swivel headlights, Keyless-Go system and more. You can also choose a sports package or styling package. Basic equipment R350 is estimated at 63,500, R500 at 81,400. The long-base car costs 2300 more expensive.
Text: Nikolai Ilyin
A source: Magazine Motor [July 2006]
