With the R 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz is offering one of the cleanest diesel models in the world. The V6 engine achieves an output of 155 kW (211 hp) and substantial torque of 540 Nm. Compared with its predecessor, this model also manages to achieve reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions while providing enhanced performance. Equipped with highly-effective AdBlue© exhaust gas after-treatment, the compression-ignition engine consumes an average of 0.3 of a litre less, at 8.4 litres (combined NEDC consumption) of diesel per one hundred kilometres, generating in the process the same level of emissions as a comparable petrol engine. As a result, this model currently already meets the emission values planned for 2014 according to the EU6 standard. BlueTEC is a technology developed by Mercedes-Benz for the effective reduction of emissions by diesel vehicles, especially nitrogen oxides. In this process, AdBlue, a non-toxic, aqueous urea solution is injected into the stream of exhaust gases. This releases ammonia, which breaks down up to 80 percent of the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water in the downstream SCR catalytic converter (Selective Catalytic Reduction).

Effortless power delivery with high drive comfort: The petrol variants in the Mercedes-Benz R-Class

The range of petrol engines has three variants, and gives the Mercedes-Benz R-Class a high level of drive comfort together with effortless power delivery and a moderate fuel consumption. The V6 petrol engine of the rear-wheel drive R 300 develops 170 kW (231 hp), accelerates the Mercedes-Benz R-Class from zero to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds and provides a top speed of 222 km/h. The combined NEDC fuel consumption is 11.1 l/100 km. The all-wheel drive R 350 4MATIC with a 3.5-litre V6 engine develops 200 kW (272 hp) and a maximum torque of 350 Newton metres. Despite this extra output and performance (top speed 230 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds), the R 350 4MATIC consumes only 0.5 l/100 km more (combined NEDC fuel consumption) compared with the R 300. This low difference in consumption once again demonstrates the high efficiency of the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

In the top-of-the-range R 500 4MATIC, the 5.5-litre V8 engine with 285 kW (388 hp) and a maximum torque of 530 Newton metres guarantees impressive performance figures. A sprint from zero to 100 km/h is absolved in 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h.