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2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class Review
Welcome to the world of grand sports touring.
2006 R-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The all-new 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class models are indeed grand sport tourers. All six seats are window seats. No center seating here. They feature lots of interior layout flexibility for people and cargo, and plenty of torque for hauling. They're big but garageable. The R500 is not a fuel economy champion at a projected 21 mpg on the highway, it seems to have more overall utility than one of the giant SUVs, and gets better mileage than most of them. It's very cool to look at, and even more fun to drive whenever and wherever there's lots to see and enjoy.New Car Test Drive correspondent Jim McCraw filed this report from California.
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| Vehicle Category | Sport Utility Vehicles |
| Editor | Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz R350 ($48,000); R500 ($55,500) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.0-liter sohc 24-valve V8 |
| Engines (optional) | 268-hp 3.5-liter V6; 302-hp 5.0-liter V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automatic |
| Transmissions (optional) | 7-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags; electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, all-wheel drive, electronic traction control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | Parktronic |
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-4MERCEDES |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mercedes-benz.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 48000 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz R500 ($55,500) |
| Standard Equipment | dual-zone air conditioning, leather upholstery, power steering, power disc brakes, suspension, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, console, cruise control, message center, trip computer, eight-speaker AM/FM/WB/CD system, COMAND information display and control system, birdseye maple wood trim, eight-way power seats, folding second- and third-row bucket seats, rain-sensing wipers, multi-function steering wheel, integrated garage door opener; load-leveling rear suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels and tires |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Premium package |
| Destination Charge | 775 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 61275 |
| Layout | all-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 302 @ 5600 |
| Torque | 339 @ 2700-4750 |
| Fuel Economy | |
| Wheelbase | 126.6 |
| Length/Width/Height | 203.0/77.5/65.2 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | |
| Seating Capacity | 6 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.8/60.3/39.8 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | 40.4/59.6/36.2 |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.2/52.8/32.4 |
| Trunk Volume | 85 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, double A-arms, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | independent, 4-link, coil springs |
| Ground Clearance | 5.8 |
| Curb Weight | 4845 |
| Stock Tires | P255/55R18 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | 13.8/13.0 disc/disc with ABS, EBD |
| Fuel Capacity | 25.1 |
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2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
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