(Thu 01 Apr 10)

The 2011 model year Mercedes R-Class SUV has made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, and will go on sale in the UK in September.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but we know that there will be two versions for sale in the UK, both with three-litre V6 turbo diesel engines. The less powerful of the two is the two-wheel drive 190bhp R 300 CDI BlueEfficiency, which is quicker than the previous R 300 CDI but has better combined fuel economy of 37.2mpg.

The alternative is the four-wheel drive R 350 CDI L 4Matic, whose 265bhp output gives it a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 146mph.

In its revised form the R-Class has a completely new front end, designed to make it look more like other contemporary Mercedes products. Standard equipment includes seven-speed automatic transmission, the now-familiar Pre-Safe system (designed to prepare the car for an impact if one becomes inevitable), active headrests for front passengers and curtain airbags for all three rows of seats.

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