Mercedes-Benz has just lifted the covers off the new estate version of the C-Class, which will arrive in European dealerships in September 2014, and yes, we think it should come here too, MBM are you listening?
The new C-Class Estate builds on the sedan’s styling language by adding a sporty-looking rear end with horizontal taillights united by a long chrome bar. Obviously, the C-Class Estate’s main task is to carry extra luggage and to be more versatile than the sedan.
In order to do that, the dimensions of new C-Class Estate have grown considerably. With an 80mm increase in the wheelbase (2840 millimetres) compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 96mm longer (4702 millimetres) and 40mm wider (1810 millimetres). The increase in space primarily benefits the rear-seat passengers who now enjoy 45mm more legroom. There is also more shoulder room, elbow room and headroom than in the previous model.
The C-Class Estate has a load capacity of 490 litres, or 1,510 litres with the rear seats folded down. The rear seats now have a 40 : 20 : 40 split instead of the 60 : 40 split, allowing owners to use the interior as five-seater, four-seater, three-seater or two-seater. The C-Class Estate is also available with the Easy Pack power liftgate and the Hands-Free Access system, with the latter allowing opening and closing the liftgate without having to touch it.
The C-Class Estate is available in both diesel and petrol variants. The diesel model of the new C-Class are powered by a four-cylinder engine equipped with SCR technology (selective catalytic reduction). They cover an output range from 115hp to 204hp.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz offers a diesel engine combined with a hybrid module. The C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID with 4-cylinder diesel engine and compact electric motor generates a power output of 204 + 27hp and despite its high power output runs on just 3.8 litres of diesel per 100 km/h in NEDC combined mode (equivalent to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre).
Three BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines and one BlueDIRECT 6-cylinder petrol engine with power outputs ranging from 156 to 333hp will initially be available for the new C-Class. The four-cylinder C 350 HYBRID with plug-in technology will be launched later on.
