First look: New C-class Estate to swallow rivals

MERCEDES-BENZ has released details of its new C-class wagon, which picks up all the changes introduced by the new C-class sedan launched last month - plus a claimed class-leading cargo space.

The new German hauler will go on sale in Europe later this month and is due to arrive in Australia at some stage between next April and next June.

The new C-class Estate is able to hold 1500 litres of cargo volume, a capability that Mercedes claims gives it an edge over the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series wagons.

The company is talking up the C200 CDI diesel as the hero of the Estate range, given its miserly EU fuel consumption figure of just 6.0L/100km.

In Europe, the C-class Estate will be offered with five different engines, including the supercharged four-cylinder C180, the four-cylinder C200 and V6-powered C350, as well as the C200 CDI and C220 CDI turbo-diesels.

A fire-breathing C63 AMG Estate will also join the range after taking to the stage at the Frankfurt motor show next week.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to lock-in which C-class wagon models it will bring here, as it awaits more information from head office in Stuttgart.

Specifications and prices are also far from being confirmed, but Mercedes-Benz said it aims to make sure that all the features available on the C-class Estate in Europe are available in Australia, even if some have to be offered as options.

One feature Mercedes in Europe is talking up is an automatically-opening and closing tailgate that was first introduced on the E-class wagon.

After pressing the button to raise the tailgate, C-class wagon customers are claimed to be able to put in four golfbags or 44 drink crates - each containing six one-litre bottles.

So how much more load space does the new C-class Estate have over the existing wagon. A respectable 146 litres.

The maximum usable interior length, with the split-fold rear seats set down, is 2820mm - 170mm longer than the current car.

A fair amount of whatever you can’t fit in the back of the C-class hauler can be towed behind it, with the range offering a maximum braked towing capacity of 1800kg.

All C-class Estates come standard with load-leveling suspension, while passenger comfort is taken care of with optional three-zone climate-control and a panoramic sunroof.

Mercedes will introduce the C-class wagon with two different designs.

There is the more traditional treatment for the Classic and Elegance models that includes the three-pointed star gun-sight mounted on the bonnet, while the sportier Avantgarde features a large grille-mounted Mercedes badge and deeper front bumper and side skirts.

Mercedes will offer a dynamic handling package as an option for the C-class Estate in Europe, comprising adjustable suspension dampers with a choice between comfort and sport settings.

The company said the C-class wagon’s body is made up of 70 per cent ultra high-strength steel and has been comprehensively tested through 100 safety lab crashes.

The C-class Estate comes standard with seven airbags.

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