Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate: The German Style Wagon

Motoring Channel Staff - 3/September/2007

Stuttgart, Germany — When Mercedes-Benz launched the new C-Class model it was clear which direction the company's design ethos was heading. Straight to funky town. Gone are the circular headlights that personified a generation of Mercs as stately and refined, replaced by a less distinctive but more modern look.

This new design ethos is again on show with the all-new C-Class estate, whose wraps came off at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The local arm of the company has confirmed the cargo-friendly C-Class estate will be coming to Australia in the second quarter of 2008.

Prices are as yet unknown, but expect to pay a small premium over the sedan C-Class models.

Estate or wagon models are all about interior space, boot space to be precise. The German automaker has increased boot space by more than 100 litres to 485 litres. This can be expanded to a generous 1500 litres when the rear seats are folded away. Measured from the tailgate to the front passenger footwell, the maximum usable interior length 2.82 metres, up 17cm on the previous model.

The design of the extended boot comes on the back of customer input, and that is why the back door is now more steeply angled. This opens up slightly more cargo space, but also ensures the rear end can match the stylishness of the front.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the new C-Class estate can fit four golf bags and trolleys or a square box with a 827 litre volume. Importantly, the car's 1500 litres of boot space is more than any other estate in its class. Tick the box for the self-levelling suspension option and the new C-Class estate ensures the vehicle remains at a constant ride height regardless of the load it is carrying.

As with the new C-Class sedan, the new estate models get tweaked  inline 4-cylinder and V6 engines. These provide for lower fuel consumption rates, while also increasing power levels slightly. According to Mercedes own data,the new C 200 CDI estate can make a single 66 litre tank of fuel last for over 1000 kilometres. The full range of Mercedes-Benz C-Class estate models is as follows:

Diesel

C 200 CDI: 100kW (136hp) 270Nm
C 200 CDI: 125kW (170hp) 400Nm
 C 320 CDI: 165kW (224hp) 510Nm

Petrol

C 180 Kompressor: 115kW (156hp) 230Nm
C 200 Kompressor: 135kW (184hp) 250Nm
C 230: 150kW (204hp) 245Nm
C 280: 170kW (231hp) 300Nm
C 350: 200kW (272hp) 350Nm

With the exception of the C 350, all engine variants are coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. The C 350 is partnered by the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz used to be top dogs in the premium car segment but in recent years Audi and Lexus have continued to increase their market shares, and the old guard are increasingly forced to show initiative.

Mercedes is already looking at developing a new 8-speed twin-clutch transmission for its next generation A-, B- and C-Class models at the turn of the decade, and new cars like the C-Class Estate are going to have to show flair to if they're going to have a chance against their reinvigorated competitors.

Mercedes-Benz will include features such as the PRE-SAFE system on some models, along with its Intelligent Light System and seven airbags to try and distinguish itself as one of the safest in class. Seven airbags combine with crash-responsive Neck-Pro head restraints to further improve the C-Class estate's safety suite.

Mercedes will sell the new models in three trim levels, beginning with the budget Classic models, the middle road Elegance versions, and the range-topping sporty Avantgarde. 

Mercedes-Benz said in its release statement that all models will come equipped with Agility Control, a new system that adds "shock absorbers which automatically adapt to the current driving situation for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort when driving normally. As soon as a more dynamic driving style is adopted, on the other hand, the maximum damping forces are set to stabilise the estate effectively". In essence, the new C-Class estate models adapt their suspension and comfort settings to suit the situation.

There is also a dynamic handling package which adds Comfort and Sport touch-button modes, and an AMG sports kit is also offered. This comprises sports suspension with shorter springs and firmer shock absorbers that lower ride height by 15mm, as well as 17-inch light-alloy wheels.

Related articles:
- Mercedes-Benz New C-Class (2008)
- Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (2008)
- Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster (2007)
- Mercedes-Benz CL 65 AMG (2008)
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (2007)
- Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive (concept)
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (2006)