Mercedes R-class

         This face-lifted R-class is a more cohesive looking design that benefits from new headlamps, grille, bonnet and bumper – all reflecting the latest Mercedes-Benz lineage. But no matter how sophisticated the looks are, you still can’t get away from the fact that this does look like a shapely, low-slung van. This is true especially when you look at the rear three-quarters – the sheer length between the axles and the uninspired rear styling do nothing to hide the fact that this is essentially a people-mover.

It is based on the same platform as the Mercedes ML and GL 4x4s, which means the R-class is a monocoque and comes with 4MATIC, Merc-speak for a full-time, four-wheel-drive system. Suspension is by way of double wishbones up front and a multi-link setup at the rear and Merc’s AIRMATIC adaptive dampers. The car can be raised on its suspension to clear obstacles which is very useful when tackling speedbreakers. Enclosing all this is the massive body. At 5.1 metres, it is longer than the GL and quite a bit broader than an S-class. This substantial length and width adds a lot of weight and the

R-class weighs a pavement-crumbling 2230 kilos.

Surprisingly, the R-class doesn’t have the rigidity we expect from a Merc. Sure, the doors shut with a solid ‘thunk’ but over bad bits of road, the whole cabin shudders in a very un-German way.

Under the hood lies Merc’s familiar 3498cc, 272bhp petrol V6 that’s also in the E-class and S-class. It’s a twin-cam unit that breathes through four valves per cylinder and makes its peak torque of 35kgm all the way from 2400rpm to 5000rpm. Because this motor doesn’t have the instant torque of a diesel or even the new direct-injection petrol motors, it doesn’t feel quick or exciting when you put your foot down. The Merc GL 350 CDI is slightly slower to 100kph, but feels more lively because it makes so much more torque at lower revs.