The Space Race - The new Mercedes-Benz R-class is fast, handsome, and huge

摘要

Mercedes-Benz says that, with the R-class, it is launching a new class of vehicle and a new way for six adults to travel, neatly ignoring the fact that Chrysler - yes, their colleagues in Auburn Hills, Michigan - made similar claims for the Pacifica when it hit die market in 2003. Just like Chrysler, M-B calls its new vehicle a sports tourer, one that combines the versatility of a wagon, the go-anywhere-ness of an SUV, and the luxury and performance of a large sedan. The R-class certainly looks the part. The long-wheelbase R350 and R500 are humongous, longer even than a Cadillac Escalade. (A shorter-wheelbase version will be sold only in Europe.) At first glance, it doesn't appear to be that long, mainly because it's well proportioned and lower than a conventional SUV. With the seventeen-inch wheels that are standard on the R3 50, it looks a bit slab sided, but things improve with the eigh-teens on the R500. The AMG Sport package will have even brawnier nineteen-inch wheels and tires. The exterior design is a bit fussy, but no one can argue with the interior, which is gorgeous - and, in truth, it's the major selling point for this vehicle. All R-class models get three rows of two seats each. The center pair slide fore and aft to give a maximum of 40.4 inches of legroom. Even the third-row seats, which have tour-position backrests, allow passengers to lounge in style. All four rear seats fold completely fiat for an 85-cubic-foot cargo area.