Review: Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class (2006-13)

Review: Mercedes-Benz W251.I R-Class (2006-07)

Overview

Released in April 2006, the Mercedes-Benz W251 Series I (W251.I) R-Class was six-seat, four-wheel drive people mover. Manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the W251 R-Class range initially consisted of the R 320 CDI, R 350 and R 500 models. While the R 320 CDI was powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine, the R 350 and R 500 were powered by 3.5- and 5.0-litre petrol engines, respectively. All models, however, were fitted with seven-speed automatic transmissions.

4WD system

The Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class was fitted with a permanent four-wheel drive system (‘4MATIC’). The system contained three open differentials with a planetary gear set within the centre differential. In normal conditions, the system provided a 50:50 front/rear torque split. The traction control system would apply controlled braking pressure to wheels that lost traction, thereby transferring torque to the wheels with grip.

Dimensions and suspension

The Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class was based on an extended W164 M-Class platform. The standard W251 R-Class was 4925 mm long, 1930 mm wide, 1665 mm tall and had a 2980 mm long wheelbase. The long wheelbase R-Class models, however, had a 235 mm longer wheelbase and overall length. The W251 R-Class had double wishbone front suspension and four-link, self-levelling rear air suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class included dual front airbags, front and second-row side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for all three rows of seats), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters for all seats.

Features: Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz R 320 CDI and R 350 included 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker Audio 20 sound system with a six-disc CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, combination fabric/synthetic ‘Artico’ leather upholstery, cruise control, front and rear fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, steering wheel gearshift buttons, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, split and folding second and third row seats, a multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, ambient lighting, courtesy lamps, a cargo net and cargo cover, 12 volt power outlet, tinted windows, tyre pressure sensors, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Mercedes-Benz R 500 was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, an eleven speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, COMAND system with satellite navigation, four-zone climate control air conditioning (‘Thermotronic’), leather seats, power adjustable front seats with heating, massage and memory functions, power folding mirrors, a power adjustable steering wheel, electrochromatic door and rear view mirrors, a second row centre console, an extended lighting package, burr walnut woodgrain interior trim and interior chrome highlights. The R 500 was also fitted with AIRMATIC air suspension (front and rear) combined with an Adaptive Damping System (ADS).

Mercedes-Benz R 320 CDI and R 350: Touring Package

The R 320 CDI and R 350 were available with an optional Touring package which was fitted as standard to the R 500. As such, the Touring package included full leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, burr walnut interior trim with chrome highlights, a compass, power-operated vent windows for the third row seats, a second-row centre console, an extended lighting package, aluminium window frames and additional interior lights.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class Sports package

An optional Sports package was also available; the Sports package included 19-inch alloy wheels with 255/50 R 19 tyres, power adjustable sports seats with combination Alcantara/Artico leather, leather and aluminium interior trim, blue tinted glass, a sports instrument cluster and stainless steel pedals.

Related links

• Press Kit: Mercedes-Benz W251.I R-Class (March 2005)
• Press Kit: Mercedes-Benz W251.I R-Class (August 2006)

Review: Mercedes-Benz W251.II R-Class (2007-10)

Overview

Released in October 2007, the Mercedes-Benz W251 Series II (W251.II) R-Class introduced a revised range and new seating configuration. Whereas its W251.I predecessor had six seats, the W251.II R-Class was fitted with seven seats in a 2-3-2 configuration.

The Mercedes-Benz W251.II R-Class range was expanded with the rear-wheel drive R 280 CDI, which was solely available with the standard wheelbase. The standard wheelbase R 500 was discontinued, though the long wheelbase version continued and was fitted with a more powerful 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine. In July 2009, the range was revised as the R 280 CDI was renamed the R 300 CDI and the R 320 CDI became the R 350 CDI.

Features

Compared to its W251.I predecessor, standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W251.II R-Class were extended to include 18-inch alloy wheels and full ‘Artico’ synthetic leather upholstery.

Buyers of the R 350 and R 320 CDI were able to select from two optional Luxury packs. Luxury Package 1 included Thermotronic multi-zone climate control air conditioning, leather upholstery and burr walnut trim; Luxury Package 2, however, included combination Artico/Alcantara front seat upholstery, sports instrumentation and aluminium sports pedals.

The Mercedes-Benz R 500 L was also fitted with directional bi-xenon headlights with washers. Furthermore, the R 500 L was fitted with either luxury package as standard.

R-Class: Vision and Premium packages

The Mercedes-Benz W251.II R-Class was also available with optional Vision and Premium pacakages. The Vision Package included a twelve speaker Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound system, directional bi-xenon headlights with washers and power-operated glass sunroof with tilt and slide functions. The Premium Package, however, featured Distronic autonomous cruise control, Luxury front seats (heated and ventilated) and keyless go.

Review: Mercedes-Benz W251.III R-Class (2010-13)

Overview

Released in November 2010, the Mercedes-Benz W251 Series III (W251.III) R-Class introduced a revised range that initially consisted solely of the R 300 CDI. In March 2011, the range was expanded by the R 350 CDI L, which was powered by a more powerful and fuel efficient 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine. Visually, the W251.III R-Class could be identified by its new headlights, front guards, bonnet, grille, bumpers and LED daytime-running lights.

In June 2012, the R 300 CDI was replaced by the R 350 CDI; the full range is given in the table below.

Safety equipment

Compared to its W251.II predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Mercedes-Benz W251.III R-Class was extended to include trailer stability control. The R 350 CDI L was also fitted with Blind Spot Assist.

Features

Standard features for the Mercedes-Benz W251.III R 300 CDI were extended to include 20-inch alloy wheels, COMAND with satellite navigation, voice recognition, a six-disc DVD player, 4GB hard drive for music storage, auxiliary sound system inputs (3.5mm/iPod/USB/memory card) and reversing camera, bi-xenon headlights with washers and LED daytime running lights, a compass and an automatically opening and closing tailgate (‘Easy Pack’)

The Mercedes-Benz R 350 CDI L was further equipped with 21-inch five-spoke AMG alloy wheels, four-zone climate control air conditioning (‘Thermotronic’), full leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats, power adjustable steering column and memory settings for the front seats and steering column.

Brochure

• Brochure: Mercedes-Benz W215.III R-Class (April 2011)

Related links

• Press Kit: Mercedes-Benz W251.III R-Class (June 2010)
• Specifications: Mercedes-Benz W251.III R-Class (July 2010)
• Wikipedia.org: Mercedes-Benz W251 R-Class