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The Mercedes Benz R320 CDI

We have created the R-Class for people who actively pursue their comfort, too. People who actively pursue pleasure but do so in order to share it with others. In short, this luxurious 4 + 2-seater is a vehicle for people who have extremely diverse requirements and who are always open to new ideas.

Alborz Fallah

21:2313 June 2006

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Mercedes have decided that they want to use every single letter of the alphabet for their cars. From the A class spawned the B class, we already had the C, CL, CLK, CLS, E, M, S, SL, SLK class and now we have the R class. If you haven't seen one on the road yet, join the crowd. So what the heck is the point of the R class you ask? Let Mercedes explain:

Right. In other words once you have an E class or maybe an AMG somewhere in your garage and the BMW X3 is starting to look a little out of fashion in comparison, the R class should sit nicely next to your other expensive car.

Nevertheless, the new R320 CDI has given cause for mention as it continues a growing trend of Diesel powered cars invading Australia, with Holden announcing the Diesel Astra just last week! When is the Commodore going Diesel? The New Mercedez Benz R320 CDI is powered by a 165 kW V6 Turbo engine which produces an enormous 510Nm available from as low as 1600 rpm! The engine is aspirated by a Variable Nozzle Turbine Turbo which is why the Merc can produce so much torque at such low levels. Furthermore, if you are interested, this engine is the first diesel engine .. ever.. to be made out of aluminum.

With a fuel consumption of 9.3 Liters per 100km the V6 is equiped with the what Mercedes like to call third generation CDI (Common-rail Direct injection) which, if you are not a mechanic means that the injectors, high-pressure pump and electronic engine management are fine tuned even further by Mercedes reducing fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and combustion noise.

Instead of the previous solenoid valves, the injectors are equipped with piezo-ceramics whose crystalline structure changes within microseconds under an electric voltage

Piezo Ceramic? See this is why Mercedes are always ahead when it comes to cars, cause they never fail to confuse you with weird names and complicated words. Furthermore, the car gets to 100 in a respectable 8.3 seconds and can go as fast as 230km/hr. But if instead of the E class in your garage you have a Porsche, you can always opt for the range topping R500 with its V8 engine that gets you to 100 in a little over 7 seconds. All the R class come with a SEVEN speed automatic and have Permanent All Wheel Drive. Mercedes haven't skipped on the saftey either:

PRE-SAFE®, the multi-award-winning anticipatory protection system, detects critical handling situations and immediately springs into action to prepare occupants and vehicle alike for an imminent collision. Precautions include pulling the driver's and front passenger's seat belts taut, adjusting the electrically adjustable front passenger seat with memory function to the optimum position and automatically closing the sliding sunroof. These preventive protection measures improve the seating position of the vehicle's occupants prior to impact, thereby enhancing the restraining effect of the seat belts and airbags.

So who wants one? Prices start at $82,900 for the R350, $85,900 for the R320 CDI (Diesel) and go all the way up to $122,900 for the R500L. I remember reading that an AMG version of this car might be on its way soon as well!