Mercedes-Benz’s R-Class serves as the brand’s multi-passenger flagship. With room for the whole family, this executive express crossover-wagon-minivan has long made a great vehicle in which to be hauled around in luxury.

Nose job and more
The 2011 R-Class had a bit of nip and tuck treatment in the off-season. Receiving both a nose job and a butt-lift, the R now boasts the brand’s more modern style. With a newly redesigned expanse of sheetmetal forward of the A-pillar, the R350 now appears to be from the same family as the rest of the cars in the M-B stable.

In addition to the grille, the front end features daylight running lights or new chrome-ringed fog lamps in the grille’s lower bout. Overall, the appearance is newer, wider, and, in M-B speak, more assertive. In the rear, the exhaust finishers are integrated into the rear fascia. Among the safety features, Mercedes-Benz Blind-spot assist, Pre-Safe and Neck-Pro front seat head restraints.

Beyond that, the R-Class features the same profile as seen in last year’s car. The R is available in Europe as a short and long wheelbase car. In North America, it will only be available as a long-wheelbase model. All US models will be 4Matic-equipped, with Mercedes-Benz’s all-wheel-drive system.

Stylistically speaking
As a long wheelbase vehicle, the R350 and R350 BlueTEC are identical save for BlueTEC badging on the sides and the rear. With its stylized two-box design, it cuts an imposing shape (because, truth be told, it is big) that we have even seen adopted by many forward thinking New York City-based limousine companies. Goodbye Town Car, hello R-Class.

Configurable as a four, five, six or seven-passenger vehicle, it can be equipped with center consoles between the middle row of seats, as well as a back row that reclines. The amount of cargo space depends only on how many seats you fold forward, or order in the first place. R-Class vehicles ordered without third-row seating are equipped with an under-floor storage area. Overall capacity is 15.2-cubic feet with all three rows in the upright position. Fold them flat and capacity tops out at 85-cubic feet.

And luxury abounds inside. An AMG sport package with custom seats and trim is one way to go. A refreshed interior with aluminum and chrome highlights and extravagant wood trim dresses up the cabin. The seating configuration is also good.

A mover or shaker?
North American models of the R-Class offer a choice of two different types of engines both mated to the same 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

Leading off is the 3.5-liter V6 gas engine producing 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque. EPA estimates rate this engine at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway, hardly impressive figures.

But order the BlueTEC diesel-powered version of the R350 and you end up with the who’s-your-daddy of crossovers, producing a mere 210 horsepower but 400 lb-ft. of tree stump-pulling torque. Turbocharged and intercooled, it produces the bulk of its power in the 1,200-2,400 rpm range, while the gas shows its oomph further up the power band in the 2,400-5,000 rpm neighborhood. In BlueTEC trim, look for numbers in the 18/24 mpg range.

Both R350 engines share the seven-speed automatic transmission. Do-it-yourselfers can row the tranny with plastic steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The R 350 rides on a suspension comprised of upper and lower control arms, coil springs, shocks and stabilizer bar in front and a load-leveling air suspension out back.

We found the hydraulic-assisted, rack and pinion steering to give very good road feel, especially given the vehicle’s bulk. With a fully loaded curb weight of 5,280 pounds, the BlueTEC achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds. Shave off 231 pounds for the gas-powered version, and you’ll see a 0.6 sec improvement.

According to M-B, the 4Matic permanent all wheel drive is where perfect traction lives for all conditions.

In many ways a traditional definition of a Mercedes-Benz, the R-Class benefits from a modest refresh that should keep it relatively relevant through the rest of its product cycle.

Source: [Left Lane News]