New Mercedes C-class wagon unveiled

A bigger, plusher and more practical Mercedes-Benz C-class wagon will join the new C-class line-up after the sedan. 

 

The estate has the same striking looks as the sedan but is new from the B-pillars back. At 4702mm, it’s 96mm longer than the model it replaces, with an 80mm longer wheelbase of 2840mm.

 

The increased dimensions results in 45mm more legroom, as well as extra shoulder, elbow and headroom at the rear. The car has also grown in width by 40mm to 1810mm and the rear cabin has been repackaged. 

 

Luggage carrying capacity will also see an improvement by around 5 litres. The estate’s rear seats have also been made much more versatile. They can be folded in a 40/20/40 split instead of the 60/40 of the previous model, while their backrests can be unlocked and folded electrically. 

 

Access to the load bay is made easier by specifying the tailgate with either an ‘Easy Pack’ function for assisted opening or via a ‘Hands-Free Access’ option. In the latter case, the boot can be opened or closed purely by waving a foot under the rear bumper.

 

Engine options will include a 179bhp 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit in the C200 and a 2.1-litre, four-pot turbo-diesel making 168bhp in the C220 Bluetec and 201bhp in the C250 Bluetec. 

 

Further variants, including hybrids and six-cylinder models, are likely to be rolled out next year. Rear wheel drive will be standard, while all-wheel drive will be an option in some markets. 

 

The classy interior has been borrowed from the new sedan, as have the configurable driving modes – Comfort, Eco, Sport, Sport+ and Individual. A variable steering set-up called Direct Steer is also standard, while the options list includes a whole host of advanced driver assistance systems taken from the flagship S-class. 

 

The new estate uses the same chassis as the sedan, and as such weighs 65kg less than its predecessor. Several suspension options are offered, including standard steel and sportier steel set-ups. Airmatic air suspension is also available and includes a self-levelling feature.

 

One all-new feature is the launch of the Mercedes Connect Me services, which connect the driver with the car through a SIM card in the vehicle, even if they’re not in the car. The services, which will be rolled out across the Mercedes range, include the option to look at the fuel tank level remotely and to pre-program the heating system.

 

The Mercedes-Benz C-class estate is expected to be launched internationally some time towards the end of the year.