FIRST DRIVE: The Mercedes R-Class Michael McAleer drives the new luxury people carrier
Some car firms thrive on innovation while others prefer to master the art of imitation. While it may be considered a generalisation, there's no denying that Mercedes has been at the forefront of the innovators, alongside arch-rival BMW. The Germans have benefited from such positioning. After all, it was Mercedes who mastered the modern horseless carriage, or so the marketeers would have us believe.
Of course, Mercedes has also suffered from its eagerness to innovate, not least with a host of electrical problems in recent models. In this, at least, the Germans seem to have learnt a valuable lesson; senior management recently ordered the removal of a host of gadgetry from models in order to improve reliability and cut out the niggling faults.
Yet the ethos of innovation continues and Mercedes is set to lead the way in a new niche segment, soon to be followed by BMW. The new segment is six-seater luxury people carriers that in terms of size and styling fit nicely between people carriers and SUVs.
Admittedly, some niche segments are largely the result of marketing departments keen to justify their existence. However, this new segment does seem to have some foundation in a market where it's considered poor form to drive an SUV unless you have land, while people carriers are still regarded too much like minivans, lacking in style and prestige.
Mercedes is first to market, with its new R-Class, due here next March. In terms of looks, it's far from the boxy people carriers we are used to, eschewing any comparisons with a van, while at the same time offering a far more muscular look than a simple estate. The Germans like to refer to it as the larger version of its grand sports touring range, the smaller version being the new B-Class.
Sharing its platform with the new M-Class, it's powered by the same V6 and V8 units as the S-Class, and offers seating for six adults in long-wheelbase or four adults and two children in short-wheelbase.
In print, it looks spacious, but it's only in the flesh that you get a real feel for the size of the R-Class. It's big. Aimed at the US market and built in Mercedes's plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, it will fit right in with the rest of the supersized US car market.
Yet it's also set to cater for Europeans who don't want to concede on style and prestige and yet require the flexibility of six seats. That would normally suggest the only option is a luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV). However, the backlash against suburban SUV drivers is taking its toll on the market, particularly in the US and people are looking for a more socially acceptable format. That's where the likes of the R-Class comes in.
Some will compare it to an S-Class estate, but in reality it's far more than that. Behind the wheel, it's the typical luxury Mercedes, only this time with a US-style gear change - a stalk on the side of the steering column offering reverse, drive or park. This controls the seven-speed gearbox, but a lack of tiptronic controls means there's only really one setting and no ability to change up or down.
The second row of seats is two captain's chairs, with plenty of legroom for adults, while in the long-wheel-base version we tested, there's enough room for growing teens. However, the reduction from fullsize SUV to beefy saloon does come at a price in terms of headroom. In particular the very back seats are limited to those under 5ft 10". Even then there's a certain degree of crouching involved.
The benefit of six full seats, however, comes in the girth - the seats are wide enough for even the widest derriere, clearly designed to cater for the more stocky American audience.
A bigger seller in European markets will be the short-wheelbase version, reducing the length of the vehicle from 5,157mm by 25mm. That brings the car down from a full six-seater to a four-plus-two.
There's the usual limited boot space when all six seats are in play, but with the back row folded down - an easy process that involves the gentlest of tugs upon a lever - there's ample space for a host of golf clubs or buggies.
The test drives were with US specification models, which means softer suspension. This leaves the cars wallowing slightly in corners - a road phenomenon rarely seen in the US. We were assured that when European models arrive early next year the suspension will be tuned to take this into account.
The R-Class is powered by three engines: the 320 CDI; the 350 and 500 petrol units. All are taken from the S-Class. We tested both petrol versions, and as expected the 3.5-litre 272bhp V6 needed a little more grunt to drive the heavy car forward. It manages a top speed of 230km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds. However, it's not designed for raciness - instead the R-Class is a cruiser. It also averages 25mpg (11.5 L/100km), which is not a million miles away from the similarly powered M-Class SUV, which records 22mpg. So in terms of fuel consumption it's hardly going to be a true 'Green' option.
The short run in the V8 306bhp R500 was more inspiring, as it offers a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h. However, for Irish buyers, the R350 will be the proper choice in the petrol models.
Prices in Ireland will start at under €90,000, positioning it between the E-Class and S-Class, but above the M-Class.
Competitors are few at present, though BMW is well-advanced on its own six-seater saloon variant, images of which were revealed in Motors last month (July 13th).
Undoubtedly imitators will follow in the years to come. Mercedes may be adding yet another niche to the market, but it's at least one that stands some scrutiny.