Merc R-class launched, Rs 58.7lakh

Aiming to create a new niche segment in the luxury bracket, Mercedes-Benz India has launched the R-class or the Royal class, as Mercedes prefers to call it in India, for Rs 58.7lakh ex-showroom, Mumbai.

Thanks to styling cues borrowed from the company’s saloon and SUV models, the ambiguously shaped R-class MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) does not crouch into the rather dreary minivan territory like the earlier model but makes its own luxury MPV segment with no other car to share space with.

Launched internationally in 2006, the car that has been launched in India is the updated version. Modifications to the R-class’s styling include a new front grille, headlights, bonnet and wings.

The R-class will come in only one variant to begin with – the Long Wheel Base R350 4MATIC which has a 3498cc V6 petrol engine. The fully loaded car will come with bi-xenon headlamps, steel spring suspension in front and AIRmatic (Adaptive Intelligent Ride control) system featuring self-leveling air suspension in the rear to aid comfort and improve driving dynamics.

The all-wheel-drive automatic develops 272bhp at 6000rpm and 35.7kgm of torque at 2400rpm. Performance figures are impressive for a car this size – zero to 100kph in 8.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 230kph.

The interiors is where the R-class scores; the highly flexible interiors can seat up to seven in various seating combinations. The third row is the most impressive – even better than the GL. The seats can be folded down to create a massive 2,385 litres of storage area. Leather interiors are available in two tones of contrasting shades, a leather-covered tilt and telescopic steering wheel, dual zone automatic climate control and a choice of high gloss wood trims. The R-class features a command system with an in-dash six-disc CD/DVD changer and a long list of entertainment options such as eight-inch screens for the rear passengers, a DVD player and wireless headphones.

The new R-class gets Mercedes’ latest generation 7G-Tronic automatic transmission that has a Direct Select lever on the steering column and shift paddles placed on the steering wheel. The new torque converter reduces transmission input when the car is at rest thus reducing fuel consumption.

In the Indian market, the R-class will not face any competition in its segment since it will be the only car, but it will cross paths with the Audi Q7 and the base Porsche Cayenne in terms of pricing. The lack of a diesel engine option could hurt sales. What works for the R-class are space, practicality and comfort of an MPV coupled with refinement and driving dynamics of a saloon car.