First look: Mercedes C-Class Estate outed

THE first full image of Mercedes’ all-new C-Class Estate has found its way onto social media ahead of an expected public premiere in July and an Australian launch in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The load-carrying version of the new Benz mid-sized staple emerges six months after Mercedes revealed images of the sedan version, which is expected to launch locally in about two months.

Official details will not be released until later this week, though the partial-aluminium platform, instruments, engines and transmissions from the sedan will all carry over.

In order to retain the aggressive look of both the new sedan and its previous-generation Estate predecessor, the new C-Class wagon features a raked waistline and a tapered rear window.

While overseas markets will have the option of all-wheel-drive and a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain, the Australian line-up is expected to be led by the rear-drive, 125kW/400Nm C220 diesel and 135kW/300Nm C200 petrol, both with 7G dual-clutch automatic transmissions.

Neither the V6 petrol or the C300 BlueTEC diesel-electric hybrid, which uses 3.9 litres of fuel per 100km, will come to Australia, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific senior manager of corporate communications David McCarthy.

The new-generation wagon is reportedly more spacious for passengers thanks to an 80mm longer wheelbase and a 96mm increase in overall length. Cargo capacity is said to be only marginally bigger than before at 490 litres or 1510L with the 40:20:40 split-fold rear seats laid flat.

As with the sedan, under the skin lies a newly designed four-link front axle that promises greater agility, plus a five-link independent rear setup. Steel springs with adjustable dampers are standard, though AIRMATIC air suspension can be optioned.

Neat features that will carry over from the sedan include an autonomous braking system that works at speeds of up to 200km/h, and can stop in response to stationary vehicles at speeds of up to 50km/h, and a Distronic radar-guided cruise control system has a new feature that allows it to ‘lock on’ to a car ahead in traffic.

Other high-tech wizardry includes a system that uses the sat-nav and GPS location to automatically set the air-conditioner to re-circulate when driving through a tunnel. The central screen also displays Google Street View as part of the map software.

Following on from the Estate will be the new C-Class coupe and cabriolet derivatives, though precise timing for their respective launches remains under wraps.

Mercedes also plans to base the next-generation GLK mid-sized SUV on the C-Class’ new platform. Unlike the current version, the new GLK will be made in right-hand-drive form and will come to Australia in 2015.

Full details on the new C-Class Estate will emerge later this week, so stay posted...