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{{Infobox Automobile
| image          = [[Image:Mercedes-Benz R 350.jpg|250px|Mercedes-Benz R350 (US)]]
| name           = Mercedes-Benz R-Class
| manufacturer   = [[Mercedes-Benz]]
| parent_company = [[Daimler AG]]
| production     = 2006&ndash;
| class          = [[Minivan]] / [[Full-size]] [[crossover SUV]]
| body_style     = 5-door [[station wagon|wagon]]
| starting price = [[$67,855.00 USD]]
| wheelbase      = 3215&nbsp;mm (126.6&nbsp;in)
| length         = 5157&nbsp;mm (203.0&nbsp;in)
| width          = 2006-08: 1922&nbsp;mm (75.7&nbsp;in)<br>2009-: {{Auto in|77.1|0}}
| height         = 1661&nbsp;mm (65.4&nbsp;in)
| engine         = 3.0L [[V6]]<br>
3.5L [[V6]]<br>
5.0L [[V8]]<br>
5.5L [[V8]]<br>
6.2L [[V8]]
| platform       = [[Mercedes-Benz W251]]
| transmission   = 7-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]]
| assembly       = [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]], [[USA]]<br>[[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]]
| layout         = [[Front-engine design|Front engine]], [[rear-wheel drive]] / [[four-wheel drive]]
| related        = [[Mercedes-Benz M-Class]] <br> [[Mercedes-Benz GL-Class]]}}

The '''R-Class''' is a [[Multi-purpose vehicle]],[[(MPV)]] offered by [[Daimler AG]] in 2006 model year under the '''[[Mercedes-Benz]]''' [[brand]]. It is the first minivan ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, although it does not have sliding doors, which many consumers, particularly Americans, associate with minivans.  It was first seen at the 2001 [[Detroit Auto Show]] as the '''Vision GST''' (''Grand Sports Tourer'') concept, and the final production vehicle was shown at the 2005 [[New York International Auto Show]]. The R-Class is built on the V251 [[Automobile platform|chassis]], and is assembled in [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]] and [[Mexico City]]. It is priced between the [[Mercedes-Benz M-Class|M-Class]] and the [[Mercedes-Benz GL-Class|GL-Class]]. It is marketed by Mercedes-Benz as a "Sports Cruiser."

The R-Class is offered in two wheelbases, {{Auto mm|2980|1}} and {{Auto mm|3215|1}}.

Models using [[BlueTec]] Diesel engine will be introduced for the 2009 model year.
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:98%;" width="300"
|-
|+Models
!Model !!Engine !!Power
|-
!colspan=3|Diesel
|-
|'''R 280 CDI''' ||3.0&nbsp;L V6 ||{{Auto PS|190}}
|-
|'''R 320 CDI''' ||3.0&nbsp;L V6 ||{{Auto PS|224}}
|-
!colspan=3|Petrol
|-
|'''R 280''' ||3.0 [[Liter|L]] [[V6]] ||{{Auto PS|231}}
|-
|'''R 350''' ||3.5&nbsp;L V6 ||{{Auto PS|272}}
|-
|'''R 500''' ||5.0&nbsp;L [[V8]] ||{{Auto PS|306}}
|-
|'''R 500''' ||5.5&nbsp;L V8 ||{{Auto PS|388}}
|-
|'''R 63 AMG''' ||6.2&nbsp;L V8 ||{{Auto PS|510}}
|-
|}

==AMG==

The [[Mercedes-AMG|AMG]] version of the W251, the '''R63 AMG''', was introduced at the 2006 [[North American International Auto Show]] as a 2007 model. It features a handbuilt 6.2&nbsp;L ''[[Mercedes-Benz M156 engine|M156]]'' [[V8]] engine producing 503&nbsp;hp (375&nbsp;kW) and 465&nbsp;ft·lbf (630&nbsp;N·m) of torque. Mercedes-Benz's [[7G-Tronic]] seven-speed [[automatic transmission]] is standard, but the R63 features AMG-calibrated shift times with shifting buttons on the back of the steering wheel.

The R63 AMG is electronically limited to a top speed of {{convert|155|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}, with 0-60 mph time of 5.0~ seconds. It is no longer sold in the United States.

==Safety==

The R-Class scores ''Good'' in the [[IIHS]] front crash test.<ref>http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=914</ref>  But is given an ''Acceptable'' rating in the side impact crash test.<ref>http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=965</ref>

==2007 updates==
[[Image:Mercedes R320CDI L AMG-Sportpaket front.JPG|200px|thumb|right|Facelift R320 CDI L with the AMG pack]]
Mercedes-Benz announced in May 2007 that the R-Class range would be broadened.<ref>http://www.emercedesbenz.com/May07/10_Enhanced_Styling_Updated_Seating_More_Engines_And_Rear_Wheel_Drive_Mercedes_Enhances_R_Class_Lineup.html</ref> Rear-wheel drive variants will be available in addition to the [[four-wheel-drive]] versions, and more flexible seating options (5, 6, or 7-seat versions) would be offered, AMG styling and a new three litre petrol and diesel engine will be available in the R280 and R280 CDI.

==Poor sales and replacement==
Sales have not met with manufacturer's expectations, having fallen well short of a planned 50,000 a year. In 2007 only 13,031 vehicles were sold worldwide, and Mercedes is currently working on a replacement for the R-Class. <ref>"MBUSI to produce Mercedes’ first hybrid in wake of poor R-Class reception", article published [[January 15]] in Tuscaloosa News, http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080115/LATEST/64323222
</ref> The R-Class will get a minor face-lift for 2010.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! US Calendar Year
! Sales
|-
| 2005
| 4,959
|-
| 2006
| 18,168
|-
| 2007
| 13,031
|-
| 2008
| 7,733
|}

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* [http://www.mercedes-benz.com/ Mercedes-Benz International]
* [http://www.mercedes-benz.com/grandsportstourer Experience the R-Class - the Grand Sports Tourer]
* [http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/MercedesR350/Photos.htm R350 Gallery] - FamilyCar.com, R500 images available.

{{Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz vehicles|R-Class]]
[[Category:Crossover SUVs]]
[[Category:Minivans]]
[[Category:2000s automobiles]]
[[Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Vehicles introduced in 2006]]