Mercedes-Benz will expand the C-Class family with the new Estate. The Estate stands out with its clear and at the same time emotional, sporty design, innovative technology, variability and a load capacity enlarged even beyond that of the predecessor model. Its high-class, sophisticated interior makes modern luxury tangible with design highlights. With these qualities the Estate reinforces its reputation as a multifaceted lifestyle vehicle with outstanding properties for everyday use. In addition, with its many new assistance systems it not only offers the highest standards of safety, but thanks to intelligent lightweight construction, exceptional aerodynamics and new economical engines it also sets new efficiency benchmarks in its segment. The Estate also provides the stage for the world premiere of the Mercedes connect me services, which, among other things, make it possible to connect to the vehicle from anywhere at any time and retrieve the current fill level of the tank online.
The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate
The new C-Class Estate combines a striking, dynamic design and high-class appointments with outstanding variability and a high level of utility. With its versatility it also adapts to a wide variety of requirements. As a stylish, sporty, spacious vehicle it accompanies active, modern people on shopping sprees, on vacation or when playing sports, and is suitable for families in every respect. Consequently, it continues the tradition of the C-Class Estates, which all in their own time combined demands on lifestyle, sportiness and practicality in an estate car, in the fourth generation on a new level.
Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: “The new C-Class Estate is not only extremely practical thanks to its once again enlarged, variable load compartment. With innovative lightweight construction and its state-of-the-art technical features it also strikes out in new directions in this segment with regard to safety, efficiency and comfort. Worldwide we are the first to offer a comfortable air suspension in this segment. And both men and women drivers enjoy noticeably more driving pleasure”.
Variable and practical
The dimensions of the new C-Class Estate have grown considerably. With an 80-millimetre increase in the wheelbase (2840 millimetres) compared with the previous model, the vehicle is 96 millimetres longer (4702 millimetres) and 40 millimetres wider (1810 millimetres). The resulting increase in space primarily benefits the rear-seat passengers, who now enjoy 45 millimetres more legroom. There is also more interior width and headroom than in the previous model.
The growth spurt also involves the load compartment. The sporty rear of the new C-Class Estate provides a maximum load capacity of 1510 litres (according to ISO 3832). It thus surpasses its predecessor by ten litres. The load compartment volume behind the rear seats has increased by five litres to 490 litres.
Variability and consequently functionality also increased significantly. The rear seats now have a 40 : 20: 40 split instead of the 60 : 40 split in the predecessor. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for using the interior as a five, four, three or two-seater version.
Practical details ensure that the load compartment is even more versatile and easier to use, and as a result it can be conveniently tailored to the individual transport tasks. The electric unlocking of the rear seat backrests at the push of a button provides a flat, larger load compartment where necessary using the Singlefold function for the rear seat backrest.
The exceptional loading convenience can optionally be further enhanced with the EASY-PACK tailgate and the likewise optional HANDS-FREE ACCESS system. It allows opening and closing the tailgate without touching it. All it takes is a motion of the foot in the area of the rear bumper.
Dynamic and high-quality
The new C-Class sets visual highlights with a modern, dynamic design that at the same time exudes sensual purity, arouses emotions and, to top it all off, stages high tech in perfect fashion. Customers can choose from two fronts – with the sports grille or – reserved solely for the EXCLUSIVE line – with the luxury grille with the Mercedes star on the bonnet.
Unusual for a vehicle with a focus on a high level of utility and functionality is the high-quality interior of the Estate, which was adopted from the Saloon. With straightforward sportiness, thrilling flowing lines and high-grade materials on the level of a luxury vehicle, it provides a modern, luxurious and at the same time sporty ambience. In addition to the base model, there are also three distinct design and equipment lines each for the exterior and interior.
The Estate also bears the quality seal of the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) for a scientifically tested high level of allergy-friendliness. Mercedes-Benz is the only vehicle manufacturer to earn the ECARF seal.
Touchpad and head-up display
The touchpad in the new C-Class Estate developed by Mercedes-Benz marks an evolutionary step. As on a smartphone, all the head unit functions can be operated using finger gestures. The 65 x 45 millimetre control surface of the touchpad is built into the handrest on the central control panel and bordered by a high-quality metal support – a design feature with a high-tech feel which exudes luxury at the same time.
A head-up display is also a new feature in the C-Class Estate. As in a jet fighter, it projects important information directly into the driver’s field of vision, ensuring that there is less distraction from the road ahead. The system provides information on vehicle speed, posted speed limits, navigation instructions and DISTRONIC messages.
Less weight, more comfort
Thanks to innovative solutions, the bodyshell of the new C-Class Estate weighs less, provides the basis for outstanding vehicle handling and best noise and vibration comfort with exceptional rigidity, and offers a high level of crash safety. With an aluminium content of 49 percent and up to 65 kilograms less gross vehicle weight the Estate is the lightweight-construction leader in its segment.
Efficient and lively engines
The powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines with ECO start/stop function comply with the Euro 6 emissions standards and ensure sporty performance and driving pleasure. Compared with the predecessor certain members of the line-up consume in excess of 20 percent less fuel.
The diesel models of the new C-Class are powered by the further enhanced four-cylinder or a new small four-cylinder engine, which as BlueTEC models are all equipped with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology. They cover an output range from 85 kW (116 hp) to 150 kW (204 hp).
In addition, Mercedes-Benz offers a diesel engine combined with a hybrid module. The C 300 BlueTEC HYBRID with four-cylinder diesel engine and compact electric motor generates a power output of 150 + 20 kW (204 + 27 hp) and despite its high power output runs on just 3.8 litres of diesel per 100 km in NEDC combined mode (equivalent to 99 grams of CO2).
Three BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines and one BlueDIRECT six-cylinder petrol engine with power outputs ranging from 115 to 245 kW (156 to 333 hp) will initially be available for the new C-Class. The four-cylinder C 350 HYBRID with plug-in technology will follow in due course.
Agile and comfortable driving
Exemplary suspension comfort and road roar and tyre vibration characteristics coupled with outstanding dynamic vehicle handling – these are the hallmarks of the newly designed suspension of the new C-Class Estate. Thanks to a new four-link front axle it offers driving pleasure and ride comfort at the same time.
C-Class Estate customers will have a choice of two versions of the standard-specification steel suspension, which also includes a sporty set-up. As an alternative, Mercedes-Benz for the first time offers an air suspension in this segment. The AIRMATIC air suspension manages to bridge the gap between a high level of ride comfort and dynamic, agile handling. AIRMATIC also features all-round self-levelling for optimum ride comfort even with the vehicle loaded.
Choose your own driving experience
In the new C-Class Estate the driver can determine the individual driving experience at the push of a button. Depending on the equipment level, the driver can choose from various preconfigured drive programmes and one the driver can design personally to a large extent. The following characteristics are available: “Comfort”, “ECO”, “Sport” and “Sport+”. The additional “Individual” setting enables drivers to configure their vehicle to suit their own preferences.
Like the Saloon, the new C-Class Estate is equipped with an electric parking brake. This brake is released automatically when the driver ends parking mode with the aim of moving off.
As is customary, the new C-Class Estate is also available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. This is available with the C 250 BlueTEC diesel right from the market launch.
Steering with a sporty character
All models of the C-Class family will feature an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard from now on. This combines speed-sensitive servo assistance from the speed-sensitive steering with a steering ratio that varies with the given steering angle. The power steering assistance provided by the rack-and-pinion steering gear is controlled as needed, thereby contributing towards efficiency.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: the intelligent car
It is the declared aim of Mercedes-Benz to make the highest standard of safety available to everyone. For this reason the Estate adopts new assistance systems from the S-Class and E-Class, which have been enhanced with significant functions. The assistance systems enhance both comfort and safety. Mercedes-Benz calls this Intelligent Drive.
The C-Class Estate is fitted as standard with ATTENTION ASSIST, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness. It offers an adjustable sensitivity level and can provide drivers with information on their level of fatigue and the amount of driving time that has elapsed since the last break. On motorways ATTENTION ASSIST in conjunction with COMAND can suggest service areas as stopovers where a warning has been issued.
Also part of the standard equipment is COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS. In addition to the distance and collision warning as well as the adaptive Brake Assist, which helps to protect against collisions at speeds above 7 km/h, this system now features an additional function: when a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system is able to carry out autonomous braking at speeds of up to 100 km/h (200 km/h in conjunction with DISTRONIC PLUS), thereby preventing a rear-end collision with slower or stopping vehicles or reducing the severity of the resulting collision. At speeds of up to 50 km/h the system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles, and is able to help prevent rear-end collisions at up to around 40 km/h.
New assistance systems with substantially enhanced functions are optionally available, combining data from various sensor technologies as part of the Intelligent Drive concept to enhance comfort and safety:
DISTRONIC PLUS – relieves the burden on the driver in keeping a safe following distance.
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot – relieves the burden on the driver in keeping a safe following distance, even in stop-and-go traffic. Steering Assist is new and helps the driver with lateral control of the vehicle, even in gentle bends, and offers a tailback vehicle following function.
BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist boosts driver braking depending on the situation, if necessary up to full brake application and can also react to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
Active Lane Keeping Assist warns of unintentional lane departures by means of pulsed vibrations of the steering wheel and in the presence of solid lane markings corrects the vehicle’s track with one-sided brake application. It now also intervenes with one-sided brake application in the presence of broken lane markings if the adjacent lane is occupied by, for example, oncoming traffic, fast overtaking or overtaken vehicles.
The multitude of optionally available assistance systems also include, among others:
Active Parking Assist, which enables automated parking with active steering and brake control in both parallel and end-on spaces, as well as manoeuvring out of parallel spaces again if the vehicle was parked there automatically beforehand.
Traffic Sign Assist with wrong-way warning function, which warns of speed limits and also alerts the driver to no-overtaking zones and no-entry signs.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS, which allows the high-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently by masking out other vehicles in the light cone of the high-beam headlamps.
Airbags for safety
In addition to three-point seat belts with pyrotechnical belt tensioning and belt force limiters for driver, front passenger and those in the outer rear seats, numerous airbags serve to protect the vehicle’s occupants in an accident. These include:
Combined thorax/pelvis sidebags for driver and front passenger
An optimised windowbag
Sidebags for the outer rear seats (optional)
A kneebag for the driver
The front passenger seat is also equipped with an automatic child seat recognition system. This automatic front passenger airbag deactivation, introduced first by Mercedes-Benz, uses a pressure sensor in the seat cushion to detect whether an infant or child seat was placed on the front passenger seat and automatically deactivates the front passenger airbag. Contrary to other systems that require the airbag to be deactivated with a key, this system prevents incorrect operation. As no special transponder is required, the system works with all rear-facing child restraint systems. This system is already included as part of the standard specification in many European countries.
Air conditioning: signals from space
The further advanced climate control system provides improved control quality, performance, efficiency and air quality. The new Estate is the only vehicle in the segment to offer tunnel detection via satellite navigation. It uses the map data from the navigation system and the GPS location data to close the air recirculation flap automatically when the vehicle enters a tunnel, subsequently re-opening it when the vehicle emerges from the tunnel.
Another highlight contributing to a feel-good atmosphere is the AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing, air ionisation and more efficient filtration than is available on the standard model.
Vibrant infotainment experience
Like the Saloon, the new Estate also offers a completely new multimedia generation with intuitive operation, featuring elaborate animations and visual effects which present all the functions in a clear and highly attractive manner. The Estate is furthermore also equipped with the Frontbass system. This avant-garde acoustic system uses the space within the cross-member and side member in the body structure as a resonance chamber for the woofers. The result is a listening experience almost on a par with that enjoyed in a concert hall. A Burmester® surround sound system is optionally available.
The navigation system presents its contents in interactive mode. Its features include an animated compass, a “Drive Show” with information for passengers similar to the on-screen presentations on board airliners and Google Maps displayed on the head unit. COMAND Online is now also able to provide more accurate real-time information about the situation on the roads when it receives its traffic data via the internet by means of the “Live Traffic Information” service.
Internet and diverse data sources
A Bluetooth®-compatible mobile phone with data option is all it takes to make even the Audio 20 system internet-capable. This enables the internet to be surfed without restrictions when the vehicle is stationary.
In conjunction with COMAND Online, Mercedes-Benz Apps such as Weather, GoogleTM Local Search with StreetView and Panoramio, destination/route download and Facebook can be used while on the move. Audio and video playback is possible from various sources, for example, via Bluetooth®, from an Apple iPod® or iPhone®, from an SD card, USB stick or CD/DVD (with Audio 20 CD or higher and with COMAND Online).
COMAND Online with hotspot functionality
COMAND Online not only offers a larger display with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and a special bonded glass cover such as is familiar from consumer devices like the iPhone® or iPad. It also enables digital TV/radio reception, for example, and offers fast hard-disc navigation, automatic tailback avoidance via up-to-date and accurate “Live Traffic Information”, integrated WLAN hotspot functionality and the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system.
Telephony via Bluetooth® as standard
The standard-fit Audio 20 USB system as well as Audio 20 CD and COMAND Online all offer basic telephony as standard, which links up a mobile phone to the vehicle via a standardised Bluetooth® interface.
Vehicle online with Mercedes connect me
Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new package of services in Europe under the name “Mercedes connect me” with the new C-Class Estate. “Mercedes connect me” services can be used via a COM module integrated into the vehicle. The available services include accident, maintenance and breakdown management, among others. Likewise, customers can optionally connect to their vehicle from anywhere and at any time via “connect.mercedes.me” and, among other things, retrieve the fill level of the tank or start, stop or programme the auxiliary heating system.
