Benz launches R-Class for the long-legged

R 350 CDI brings stronger performance and enhanced interior space to the market
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Mercedes-Benz has just doubled the size of the R-Class range with the local release of the R 350 CDI. Performance is boosted in the new variant, a long-wheelbase model -- unlike the existing R 300 CDI variant already on sale here. And the icing on the cake for buyers of the R 350 CDI is the added value of the 2011 model.

"Basically, if you equipped a model year 2010 R 350 CDI long-wheelbase to the same level as this new one, it would have cost you $12,000 more," said the Senior Manager Corporate Communications at Mercedes-Benz, David McCarthy, in conversation with the Cars games ales Network.

The prestige importer has calculated the added value of the new R 350 CDI over the pre-facelift 2010 model to be $11,977, based on the new car's price of $108,900 -- not including on-road costs and dealer pre-delivery charge.

By contrast with the shorter R-Class, the R 350 CDI comes with position memory for the electrically-adjustable front seats, steering column and exterior mirrors. Benz's luxury climate control ('Thermotronic') is also standard, as is full leather upholstery, Blind Spot Assist and 21-inch AMG alloy wheels.

While the R 350 CDI is powered by a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 -- as is the R 300 CDI -- the new variant develops 195kW of power and 620Nm of torque, a substantial improvement on the R 300's 140kW/440Nm figures.

Capable of knocking off the 0-100km/h sprint in a commendable time of 7.6 seconds, the R 350 CDI also uses just 8.5L/100km of fuel in combined-cycle testing. Fuel consumption and performance are laudable for a seven-seat peoplemover weighing nearly 2.3 tonnes.

What sets the R 350 CDI's engine apart from the R 300's is broadly classified by Mercedes-Benz as improved engine management; including upgraded control units, new software, new sensors and actuators, plus lower back pressure in the exhaust and greater efficiency from the after-treatment facility of the diesel particulate filter.

The compression ratio has been reduced from 17.7:1 to 15.5:1, cooling for the recirculated exhaust gas is upgraded and the induction system benefits from a low-friction turbocharger, high-output injectors and revised intake ducting. In addition, the engine runs leaner thanks to reduced friction, better thermal management, a new oil pump and revised cylinder-head cooling.

The engine drives through Benz's 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission, which has also been upgraded for this application. New bearings and couplings reduce friction, as does a new specification of oil, operating at different pressures. Also aimed at reducing fuel consumption, the torque converter's damper clutch locks up sooner and the transmission decouples when the vehicle is at standstill.

Longer by 23.5cm than the short-wheelbase R 300, the R 350 CDI provides added legroom for occupants of both second and third-row seats, with an increase in luggage capacity to 550 litres with the third-row seat upright.

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