R-class What is it?

[scumbag]

My word. XC70. am way out of date....am off to rumage thru a magazine and take a look.

AUDI seem to have gone for the big grill look for some reason. I dont like it either. must be the wrong age.

good morning indeed. its raining i think.

 

[glojo]

My word. XC70. am way out of date....am off to rumage thru a magazine and take a look.

AUDI seem to have gone for the big grill look for some reason. I dont like it either. must be the wrong age.

good morning indeed. its raining i think.

It's still dark down here.

My nephew has an XC70 and will shortly be changing it for the more powerful new diesel. Yer tis

John

 

[scumbag]

it be dark here 2. and wet.

hmmmm looks like a volvo...but considering it is a volvo i dont suppose thats a bad thing really.

 

[jeremytaylor]

As far as I can see an E estate is a better bet this side of the Atlantic.

Where the R really fails, from what I've seen in the press, is the fact that the middle row only seats 2. Therefore if, like me, you've got 3 kids you will opnly have half the boot space available. This was why we got a Citroen C8 for the wife and kids as opposed to a Chrysler Voyager.

I suppose with the ever increasing size of American backsides, they can't fit 3 'useable' seats in ... !

When we come to replace the C8, we'll be looking at an E estate rather than an R.

 

[glojo]

Where the R really fails, from what I've seen in the press, is the fact that the middle row only seats 2. Therefore if, like

Hi jeremy,
I stand to be corrected here, and I have only seen pictures of this vehicle, but I was under the impression that the LWB version with six seats still has luggage or boot space behind the rear two seats?

I take onboard what your saying about the E-class estate and in my own opinion I believe it is the ultimate mass produced large estate car. I have seen pictures of the Middle Eastern custom made Bentley estate which I really like.

The BMW 7 series, Audi A8 and the S-class are to me the top German executive vehicles and not one manfacturer makes an estate version. To me this clearly points out that there is not considered to be a market, but if 4 x 4's become anti-social, I just wonder if one of these top marques will take the plunge?

In my opinion the R-class is I believe slightly more upmarket than the E, or perhaps ML depending in what category you place it, I am in accord mostly with scumbag and feel it is too loud. (even with the radio switched off) However I do have to wait to see the vehicle and not just pictures.

John

 

[Alfie]

I think its all of those options but plumped for people carrier but then isnt that what every car does anyway

 

[jeremytaylor]

Hi jeremy,
I stand to be corrected here, and I have only seen pictures of this vehicle, but I was under the impression that the LWB version with six seats still has luggage or boot space behind the rear two seats?John

Yes John you're right, the LWB R will have some space behind the rear seats (although with 4wd runnning gear, I guess it won't be enormous). And I suppose the swb will also have some space, but reduced.

I too stand corrected, but I would have thought that there is more demand for a 5-seater with a boot for everyone's luggage, rather then a spacious 6-seater with not enough space for everyone's luggage.

DC Insider, can't you tell your bosses to fit 3 seats in the middle row of the Euro versions? (Probably too MPV for the marketing bods).

 

[glojo]

I too stand corrected, but I would have thought that there is more demand for a 5-seater with a boot for everyone's luggage, rather then a spacious 6-seater with not enough space for everyone's luggage.

DC Insider, can't you tell your bosses to fit 3 seats in the middle row of the Euro versions? (Probably too MPV for the marketing bods).

I think this vehicle is to cater mainly for the US market and I suppose we are looking at Hummer Vee widths to seat three rear passengers??? Are we guilty of stereo typing or what??

John

 

[DC_insider]

Yes John you're right, the LWB R will have some space behind the rear seats (although with 4wd runnning gear, I guess it won't be enormous). And I suppose the swb will also have some space, but reduced.

I too stand corrected, but I would have thought that there is more demand for a 5-seater with a boot for everyone's luggage, rather then a spacious 6-seater with not enough space for everyone's luggage.

DC Insider, can't you tell your bosses to fit 3 seats in the middle row of the Euro versions? (Probably too MPV for the marketing bods).

If the R-Class were a 7 seater rather than a 6-seater then it would clash with the Viano and the yet to be launch GL (which will be a lot more expensive).

 

[jeremytaylor]

If the R-Class were a 7 seater rather than a 6-seater then it would clash with the Viano and the yet to be launch GL (which will be a lot more expensive).

I hope the R will be a better drive than the Viano!

Autocar online are doing their first drive sometime this week.

 

[glojo]

Well it looks like it is regarded as an MPV by the majority of members.

I wonder if this impression will change when it arrives?

Is a seven seat estate car different from a six seat R-class? I don't know, but it is interesting that a journalist that had the priviledge of testing this vehicle has asked a similar question, although they have settled on a similar decision as the majoprity that voted:

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Mercedes-Benz describes the R-Class as a "luxury crossover" or "Grand Sports Tourer", a vehicle that combines the best elements of a 4x4, a luxury saloon and an MPV.

Similar in theory to the smaller B-Class already on sale, it has a one-box '"monospace" cabin with six seats, the four individual rear seats laid out in pairs; the rearmost pair fold flat to form a load bay when not needed. Essentially, this car, whatever you make of its trendy crossover tag, is a luxury-spec MPV with four-wheel drive. However, it is - at least until BMW and Audi launch their takes on a similar theme - the only such model from a so-called premium manufacturer.

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My next question will be in relation to the quality of the paint. Will it have the latest nano paint technology?

I accept that the newer plants that manufacture some of the range have this capability, but others do not. The E-class 4Matic springs to mind as not having this latest hardwaring paint.

A very big THANK YOU for the excellent contributions

John