• Expressive design with a distinctly dynamic line
• Variable interior with a luggage capacity of 470 to 1384 litres
• Exemplary functionality and good economy of space
• Three lines with an extensive range of standard equipment options
• State-of-the-art CDI engines with significantly higher output and torque

Photo: DaimlerChrysler

The estate is characterized by the same groundbreaking technological innovations as the new C-class saloon, providing the same typical Mercedes safety standards and matching the saloon in terms of its attractive design, exemplary handling, flawless quality, generous space provisions, intelligent functionality and versatility.

The new estate supersedes the current C-class estate, which has enjoyed impressive success, above all in the western European market: around 250,000 models have been produced since the spring of 1996. Approximately one third of all customers who have bought a Mercedes-Benz C-class model have opted for the attractive estate. From September 2001 Mercedes-Benz will be introducing the new C-class estate on the US market for the first time.

The rear: seat cushions and backrests fold forwards quickly and easily

As a result of its variable interior, the new estate is the ideal private or professional car for people with an active lifestyle who require a versatile vehicle with a high potential load capacity. According to the VDA measuring method, the compact estate offers a luggage capacity of 470 to 1384 litres, depending on the position of the multifunctional rear seats.

The cushions and backrests of the rear seats can be folded forwards - either as a whole or individually - creating a flat loading area of up to 1.5 square metres. The largest box which the luggage compartment of the new estate can hold has a volume of 783 litres -- in other words eleven litres more than in the previous model. A removable shopping crate, located below the luggage compartment cover, comes as part of the standard equipment, as does the newly developed, easy-to-use luggage cover with integral retaining net.

The design: curved line of the roof emphasises the dynamics

The Mercedes designers developed the C-class saloon and estate simultaneously. While the front end of both versions is characterised by the familiar sportily elegant appearance, the dynamics of the estate are marked above all by the long, strikingly shaped roof, its curved line falling sharply at the rear and merging with the flatly angled rear roof pillars. In the upper part of the large tailgate is a discreet, integral spoiler, which contributes to the exemplary aerodynamics and stability of the new estate. Here the estate asserts its independence, without dispensing with the acknowledged and impressive dynamics of the saloon.

The equipment: three lines meet individual customer requirements

As with the saloon, buyers of the new C-class estate have a choice of three design and equipment lines - CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE - to meet individual customer requirements. They are distinguished by the design of the bodywork trim parts, the special wheel trims or light-alloy wheels and by independent colour combinations and materials in the interior. The AVANTGARDE model has 5-hole light-alloy wheels and 205/55 R 16 wide-base tyres as standard. The AVANTGARDE interior trim consists of high-quality aluminium; the steering wheel and gearshift lever are leather covered. But there is no lack of premium quality in the other two lines, where fine woods are combined with superior fabrics and materials.

The equipment: optimum safety systems as standard

A multifunctional steering wheel with illuminated buttons, Headlamp Assist, power windows front and rear, electrical adjustment of the seat height and backrest angle, cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC function and power steering are further details of the extensive range of standard equipment on board all model variations of the new estate. Typical Mercedes occupant safety is provided by the standard airbags for the driver and front passenger, seat belt tensioners, belt force limiters, windowbags and sidebags in the front doors. The Electronic Stability Program, ESP®, and Brake Assist are also on board the compact estate as standard. With these safety details, the new C-class has already proven its unusually high level of occupant protection in numerous crash tests.

High-tech systems from the top Mercedes-Benz models are available for the new estate as optional extras. The range extends from the innovative COMAND display system with its on-board navigation system and TV receiver to the LINGUATRONIC voice control system for the telephone and car radio, or from the luxury climate control system with sensor control to the state-of-the-art telematics service.

The drive system: seven engines and three transmissions to choose from

The new C-class estate also offers Mercedes customers a high degree of individuality where the engine and transmission are concerned. The available range comprises seven economical engines -- four petrol engines and three diesel. The output spectrum of the engines extends from 85 kW/116 hp to 160 kW/218 hp, the range of the maximum torque from 190 to 400 Newton metres, and the fuel consumption, depending on the engine type, is between 6.7 and 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption).

Two state-of-the-art engines make their premiere in the C-class estate: the smooth and quiet 3.2-litre V6 engine (160 kW/218 hp) and the high-torque CDI engine with a displacement of 2.7 litres (125 kW/170 hp). The output of the two other direct-injection diesel engines has been increased by up to 14 percent against the previous model - to 85 kW/116 hp in the new C 200 CDI and to 105 kW/143 hp in the C 220 CDI. The torque of these diesel engines has improved by up to 43 percent.

When the new C-class estate is launched, there will be a choice of three transmission variations for the C 200 KOMPRESSOR (120 kW/163 hp) and the diesel models C 220 CDI and C 270 CDI -- the standard six-speed manual transmission, SEQUENTRONIC, available on request, or the electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. The various combination options for the engines and transmissions demonstrate yet again Mercedes-Benz's commitment to individuality, offering drivers various possibilities of realising their own personal wishes with regard to output development, fuel consumption, dynamics and ease of gearshift. The top model, the C 320, is fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission as standard.

(Dec. 12, 2000)