Mercedes-Benz reveals new C-Class Estate
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the first pictures of its new C-Class Estate; which will be bigger, lighter and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.
The new fourth-generation estate will have to compete with the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring, when it arrives in the UK this autumn.
Compared to the old C-Class Estate the new model has an 8cm longer wheelbase, (now at 2840 millimetres), is 9.6 cm longer at 4.7 metres long and 4cm wider at 1.8 metres. That means that Mercedes has been able to give rear-seat passengers more space with 4.5 cm more legroom.
There is also more boot space; an additional 10 litres, to deliver a class-leading 1510 litres in total, beating the ageing A4 Avant by 70 litres and the BMW 3 Series Touring by 10 litres.
The rear seats now have a more flexible 40:20:40 split and there is also a hands-free system to open the tailgate.
At launch, there will be a choice of three engines; a 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol with 179bhp, or a 2.1 litre twin-turbo common-rail diesel available with a choice of two outputs; 168bhp or 201bhp.
Fuel economy rates have yet to be confirmed but, the lower output diesel is expected to take the lead before the launch of a plug-in hybrid model expected to be follow next year.
Thanks to a lighter build achieved through greater use of high tensile steel and 49% aluminium use, even the non-hybrid models are expected to achieve better fuel economy than outgoing versions. In total the C-Class Estate has shed an impressive 65kg.
The new estate adopts the same swept-back look as its saloon counterpart. Like the saloon, the estate will be well-equipped; with a new-generation infotainment system, head-up display and safety systems Attention Assist, Collision Preventio Assist included as standard.
More details, including pricing details are expected to be released nearer the September launch.