LESS than 10 months after launching its volume-selling W204 C-class sedan in Australia, Mercedes-Benz has released the new C-class wagon, the S204 Estate, for just $1800 more than the sedan equivalent.

Three engine alternatives will be on the table for Estate customers: the 1.8-litre supercharged petrol four-cylinder C200 Kompressor available from this month the 2.1-litre C220 CDI turbodiesel four-cylinder available from September and the 6.2-litre petrol V8 C63 AMG, which will also hit the showrooms in September.

Mercedes-Benz has not excluded the possibility of a C280 Estate – available in overseas markets – further down the track, depending on whether customer demand warrants it.

The C200 Kompressor develops 135kW at 5500rpm and 250Nm at 2800-5000rpm, consumes 8.0L/100km combined and has a CO2 output of 189g/km.

Performance figures are 8.8 seconds from 0-100km/h onto a 228km/h top speed.

The C220 CDI develops 125kW at 3800rpm and 400Nm at 2000rpm, averages 6.1L/100km and its CO2 fi gure is 161g/km. It takes 8.9 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a top speed of 224km/h.

At the top of the range, the C63 AMG outputs 336kW at 6800rpm and 600Nm at 5000rpm and returns 13.7L/100km and 328g/km of CO2. It has a 0-100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

All models are fitted standard with an automatic transmission – five-speed across the range, bar the C63 AMG which uses a sevenspeed unit – driving the rear wheels.

Mercedes-Benz anticipates 300 sales for the -class Estate from launch to the end of 2008, with 500 units selling per year from 2009.

As with the C-class sedan, three model lines will be available in the C200K and C200 CDI the Classic is standard, with optional Elegance ($3520) and Avantgarde ($5730).

An AMG package, consisting of 17-wheels, a bodykit and other various inclusions, is available for $12,070 on C200K or C220 CDI. The range-topping C63 AMG Estate is a unique model line Of course, the big news is up at the back.

A much steeper rear D-pillar than the previous model, the S203, has been designed to give improved carrying capacity, and maximum carrying volume ranges between 485 and 1500 litres (by the VDA measurement method).

Total capacity is up 146 litres over the previous S203 C-class Estate. The new Estate measures 4596mm long, up 55mm over the previous wagon, while key points of equipment difference over the C-class sedan boils down to standard roof rails and the Estate’s cargo blind and cargo barrier.

Three child seat anchor points are fitted to the top back of the rear seats. Two bag hooks and four anchor point rings are fitted to the load compartment and a full-size spare is housed under the floor.

Storage compartments with net covers on the cargo area sidewalls and a collapsible shopping crate are also standard. The cargo floor is 1.8 metres in length with the one-third/two-thirds split rear seats folded and up to 1.2 metres wide.

Mercedes claims the C-class wagon’s load-bearing ability includes four golf bags (including buggies) or nine large packing cases – or a total each containing six one-litre juice bottles.

Presumably the juice bottles will be empty, as the cargo area carrying capacity, according to the owner’s manual, is 100kg.

Total payload ranges from 480kg (C63 AMG) to 530kg (C200K and C220 CDI).

The C-class Estate has a 750kg unbraked/1250kg braked towing capacity, except the C63 AMG, which is not intended for towing.

Options unique to the C-class Estate include self-levelling rear pneumatic suspension ($2000, but not available on C63 AMG Estate), dark tinted privacy glass ($1010, also unavailable on C63), the “Easy Pack” automatic opening/closing tailgate ($1010), and a load-securing kit ($700).

Integrated child seats in the rear compartment will also be available.