No real surprises here - the R-Class is less ugly now. Unveiled in New York after
it leaked like a rusty sump all over the digital highway, the R-Class has a nice new face.
It's cleaner as well, making it an altogether more appealing seven-seat premium touring crossover thingy. The front and back ends get a restyle, most notably the dumping of the current model's gormless circular lamps, and the cabin is mildly retouched.
Only two versions are on sale in the UK, both diesel: the R 300 CDI and the longer wheelbase R 350 CDI. The former is rear-wheel drive and the latter four. Both get efficiency improvements, with the R 300's economy going from 34- to 37.2mpg combined, and the R 350 from 30.4- to 33.2mpg.
Emissions fall from 219- to 199g/km in the R 300, and from 246- to 223g/km in the R 350. In both cases performance is improved too; power is up by 40bhp in the case of the more powerful car, taking the R 350 to 261bhp and 457lb.ft.
No word on prices yet, but there'll be an increase when it hits showrooms in September, so expect around £40,000 for the R 300 BlueEfficiency.
Mark Nichol - 1 Apr 2010