Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi of Melbourne

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Driving Impressions

What's New for 2007: Two engines. The 216-hp 3.2-liter diesel V6 in the new R320 CDI is state of the art, and as clean as the gasoline engines in other R-Class models. The high-performance 6.2-liter V8 in the R63 AMG delivers the torque of a large V8 and the free-breathing, high-revving character of a sports car engine, with racing style features such as dry sump lubrication.

Get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and the minivan comparisons lose some of their weight. While the R is most like a minivan in its layout and interior flexibility (and maybe its appearance), it drives more like some big luxury sedans, and it's livelier than most minivans.

Don't get the wrong idea. This is not a sports sedan. But when it comes to handling, the R-Class will do just about anything the driver demands, and more, without losing its composure.

Put another way, the R-Class is much better to drive fast than the typical minivan, and very stable at speeds well beyond the legal limit. This vehicle can carry six people down the autobahn at 120 miles an hour while five of those people sip lattes. It's steady and buttoned down in all circumstances, and ready for a dash down a twisty road at fairly high speeds, without putting anyone inside on edge. Its front seats are more heavily bolstered than those in most minivans or SUVs. They keep occupants snugly in place, without being uncomfortable.

The R-Class is nice and quiet, too, without the booming sounds that seem to float around the back portion of some minivans. At highway speeds, there's less wind noise than you'll hear in many other vehicles this size. The quiet environment means less fatigue for the driver on long trips, and easy conversation for all occupants, whether there are two or six.

There is one exception to the solitude, to be sure. Especially with the 19-inch wheel option, the tires feel hard and stiff when they slam across pavement joints, and they crack Loud! It's not really degradation in ride quality, and it's an increasingly common occurrence on big luxury vehicles, as rims get bigger and tire sidewalls shorter. It's just a little out of character with the rest of the R-Class dynamics. The 17- and 18-inch wheels are going to offer the quieter ride.

The V6-powered models are more than adequate for most driving, chauffeuring, and touring duties. There's power in reserve for safe, anxiety-free passing on two lane roads. We'd choose the diesel-powered R320 CDI, assuming diesel fuel was readily available within our appointed rounds. Acceleration times to 60 mph are nearly identical for the R320 and gasoline-powered R350, yet the diesel is noticeably quicker to say, 40 mph, or immediately after the transmission downshifts when you pull out to pass, thanks to it's considerably higher torque rating. Yet for all intents and purposes, the diesel is as smooth and quiet (and odor-free) as the gas V6. It also delivers a real-world fuel economy improvement off as much as 30 percent, and it has much greater range on a tank of fuel.

That said, the V8-powered R500 is even more satisfying to drive. Just step on the gas and go. The R500 has more grunt than any family hauler needs, and gets itself around anything dawdling in its path without breaking a sweat. Also, the V8 is a bit smoother than either of the V6s.

Another thing we like about the R-Class is its seven-speed automatic transmission: In addition to extra gears, its control program works better than that on the Mercedes automatics of yore. This one doesn't slack off when you need it most, kicking down to a lower gear fast, sometimes three gears at once, if you slam the accelerator that hard. Even the operating system works great. The gear selector is an easy-to-reach short stalk on the right side of the steering column, with simple up-down movement for reverse and drive. Alternate shift buttons, which allow selection of a specific gear, are located on th

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