After the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class comes the R-Class. The R-Class Merc, as is now the norm in new vehicle categories, is a fusion of a sporty saloon, an estate, an MPV, an SUV and GSLV (well, not exactly). |
Keeping the wide, open roads of the Land of the Free in mind, the R-Class is being launched in North America first, later this year, while Europe will get it early next year. |
About as long as an S-Class, the R-Class, also known as a Grand Sports Tourer, seats six in individual thrones and offers great amounts of space for all. |
The top-of-the-line V8-engined 306 bhp R 500 does the 0 to 100 kph dash in 6.9 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 kph, while the 272 bhp V6-engined R 350 touches the 100 kph mark from standstill in 8.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 kph. |
There's also the third-generation common-rail V6 in the R 320 CDI, that develops 224 bhp and a whopping 50 kgm at 1600 revs. The 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, and it comes with a new feature called Direct Select. |
Here, the conventional gear lever is replaced by a lever on the steering column. You also get buttons on the steering wheel for sporty, manual shifts. |
Permanent all-wheel drive and air suspension at the rear come as standard. We can immediately round up prospective buyers for the R in India. What say, DaimlerChrysler? |
Hummer goes global |
Arnie's favourite set of wheels may come to India. General Motors is setting up a plant in South Africa to manufacture the Hummer H3 "� exclusively for markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. |
Assembly of the H3 will begin late next year, and it includes right-hand drive versions too. |
GM says that the right-hand drive H3s will be exported to the UK, Australia and New Zealand and other Asian countries. Not just that, a diesel version for international markets is also expected. |
The South African plant will be the only manufacturing site outside the US to build the H3. The baby Hummer, which is considered a midsize SUV, promises better on-road behaviour, comfortable interiors and of course, great off-road performance through a full-time 4WD system. |