PKW9000000126 251 series R-Class Grand Sports Tourer, 2010 - 2013

251 series R-Class Grand Sports Tourer, 2010 - 2013

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class models were presented in comprehensively revised form at the New York International Auto Show in March 2010. The innovative vehicle concept called "Grand Sports Tourer" introduced in 2005, characterised by a combination of generous space, high variability and saloon-like driving dynamics, was less well received by the public than expected. As one of the first crossover vehicles on the automotive market to fully explore the possibilities of this new genre, the R-Class, despite its undisputed qualities, did not meet with universal approval. The most open-minded market for the "Grand Sports Tourer" concept was the USA, where model series 251 continued to roll off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Tennessee. China later took over as the target market.

The extensive model update aimed to achieve a closer visual relationship to the Mercedes-Benz saloons through a redesigned, more striking vehicle front. On the drive side, however, the focus was on an updated engine range with optimised diesel units. At the same time, the variety of models on offer was also reduced.

When the diesel models were launched in autumn 2010, there was a choice of three differently configured V6 engines from the OM 642 engine family. As before, the 140 kW/190 hp version in the R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which was only available with the short wheelbase of 2980 mm and exclusively with rear-wheel drive, was the entry-level model in the R-Class range. The R 350 CDI 4MATIC, available in the short or long (wheelbase 3215 mm) versions, ranked above it. Its drive unit no longer produced 165 kW/224 hp as before, but had been tuned to 195 kW/265 hp. This led to noticeably improved driving performance with an increased top speed of 235 km/h and further improved acceleration. The time for the standard sprint to 100 km/h was reduced to 7.6 seconds for the short version and 7.7 seconds for the long version.

As before, the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC played a special role as a technological pioneer in terms of the sustainable reduction of exhaust emissions. From 2008, the model was only available on the North American markets under the designation R 320 BlueTEC, before it was also offered in Europe in 2009 under the now updated model designation. The 3.0-litre V6 in the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC also came from the OM 642 engine series and, thanks to the use of AdBlue technology, already met the requirements of the Euro 6 emissions standard, which did not come into force until 2014. The power output remained unchanged at 155 kW/211 hp, and average standard fuel consumption figures of 8.4 to 8.5 litres per 100 km demonstrated that maximum fuel economy with the lowest possible pollutant emissions was also possible in the large-format multifunctional passenger car segment.

Initially, the facelift did not result in any changes to the petrol engines. As before, the 170 kW/231 hp 3.0-litre V6 of the M 272 series powered the entry-level R 300 petrol model, which was available with both wheelbase variants but only with rear-wheel drive. The R 350 4MATIC continued to cover the mid-range performance level, with a 3.5-litre V6 also belonging to the M 272 engine family and delivering 200 kW/272 hp. After the short stay of the AMG versions in the R-Class range, the R 500 4MATIC, offered with the short and long wheelbase, continued to play the role of top model. Thanks to its 5.5-litre V8 with 285 kW/388 hp, sports car-like performance was guaranteed.

Even after the facelift, all engine variants of the updated R-Class were initially equipped with the 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC as standard. It was used in a revised version and, with reduced internal friction, a new torque converter with slip-reduced torque converter lockup and standstill decoupling in drive stage D, was noticeably more efficient than before, thus contributing to a further reduction in fuel consumption.

With regard to the modernised exterior appearance of the R-Class models, the modified lines of the front end in particular gave the vehicles a more striking appearance. The bonnet, wings, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper with chrome underguard were redesigned and now formed a stylistically more harmonious unit than before. Further accents were set by modified exterior mirror housings, a fresh design for the light-alloy wheels, which were available in sizes 17 to 21 inches, and the rear end. A new bumper trim, modified lamp units and the integrated tailpipe trim of the exhaust system caught the eye.

The nimbus of the R-Class as the most spacious and variable model series in the entire Mercedes-Benz passenger car range – alongside the Viano van model – naturally remained untouched even after the facelift. The interior allowed flexible configurations of up to seven seats, while the luggage compartment offered up to 1950 litres of stowage space in the short model and up to 2385 litres in the long model. However, new materials and colour schemes gave the interior ambience an even higher value appeal and made it more attractive still. Among other things, two-tone interior appointments and extravagant trim parts made of eucalyptus, burr walnut or poplar wood could now be specified as options.

The extensive standard equipment was in line with the actual purpose of all R-Class models, i.e. travelling as comfortably and safely as possible. These included, among many other features, the THERMATIC automatic climate control system, the Audio 20 telematics system, the PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection system, eight airbags, crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints, a tyre pressure loss warning system and adaptive brake lights. In addition, all model versions could be customised with further safety and comfort extras as required. Optional extras included DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control, Blind Spot Assist, AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS adaptive damping system, LINGUATRONIC voice control, even higher-specification infotainment systems such as Audio 50 APS or COMAND APS and a reversing camera.

As before, four additional equipment packages were available, combining popular options. An Exterior Chrome Package and an Exterior Sports Package building on it added visual accents to the exterior appearance of the R-Class. The interior could also be further upgraded with an Interior Sports Package or alternatively an AMG Interior Sports Package. The latter included sports seats in nappa leather.

The updated R-Class models were available at gross list prices which, despite numerous improvements, were only around 5 % higher than those of their predecessors. For example, the rear-wheel-drive R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY was priced at 50,922.00 euros, while the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC now cost 60,809.00 euros. Compared to an R 350 CDI 4MATIC, also with the long wheelbase, the surcharge for its sophisticated exhaust technology remained more or less the same. The cheapest model in the range remained the rear-wheel-drive petrol R 300, which cost 50,099.00 euros with the short wheelbase and 51,884.00 euros with the long wheelbase. The top-of-the-range R 500 4MATIC model was shown in the price list at 74,256.00 euros.

The year 2011 then brought two further substantial technical changes to the model range. These ensured that the vehicles remained up-to-date. Firstly, the R 300 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and the R 350 CDI 4MATIC were equipped with the advanced 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission in the spring, the introduction of which also benefited other Mercedes-Benz passenger car model series at the time. The latest generation of the 7-speed automatic transmission featured even shorter shift times and smoother gear changes, thereby optimising ease of shifting and quiet-running.

Secondly, the R 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY replaced its predecessor, the R 350 4MATIC, in the autumn of the year. The petrol engine's powertrain now consisted of a 3.5-litre V6 of the M 276 engine series, coupled with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. The new engine was equipped with a jet-guided petrol direct injection system with piezo injectors, which not only contributed to a significant increase in power to 225 kW/306 hp, but also to considerable savings in standard fuel consumption. Instead of the previous average of 11.6 to 11.9 litres, this was now only 10.0 to 10.1 litres per 100 km – a reduction of around 15 %.

The gross list price for the all-wheel-drive, but significantly more efficient 3.5-litre petrol model was 58,310.00 euros for the short version and 60,095.00 euros for the long version.

Although the R-Class vehicles continued to be manufactured at the US Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 2012 brought far-reaching changes with regard to the future of the model series. After sales figures failed to consolidate in the traditional markets of North America and Europe, model series 251 was taken out of the range there in the course of the year, and the focus was instead placed on the slowly emerging, promising Chinese market. The still unusual concept of the R-Class met with considerable interest there. With specially configured and slightly adapted models, the petrol-powered R 320 4MATIC with long wheelbase and the R 400 4MATIC, also in a long version, it was possible to keep production of model series 251 alive until autumn 2017.

In total, not quite 220,000 units of the R-Class left the US Mercedes-Benz plant between 2005 and 2017; around 45,000 of these were accounted for by the two Chinese versions built in standard production between 2014 and 2017 alone. Until the production stop for the classic markets in 2013, the dominance of the long-wheelbase versions had continued there, as had that of a special model: With a cumulative total of just over 68,000 vehicles, the R 350 4MATIC petrol model was the absolute and undisputed number one in the production statistics. It was followed by the rear-wheel-drive entry-level model R 280, known as the R 300 from the beginning of 2009, with around 25,000 units, and the diesel-powered R 320 CDI 4MATIC, later the R 350 CDI 4MATIC, of which almost 15,000 vehicles were built with the short wheelbase and around 16,500 units with the long wheelbase.

Mercedes-Benz R-Class, W 251, 2010
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