Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate (2008 – 2014) Review

February 2008

The new C-Class Estate is available to order from February 2008, with deliveries starting on 1st March 2008.

March 2008

New C-Class Estate unveiled

Model designation S204. The C Class estate has luggage capacity of up to 1500 litres, giving it one of the largest load compartments in the segment. Choice of 8 engines, extensively reworked to boost power output and improve fuel economy by as much as 12 per cent. Prices from £24,630 for the C 180 KOMPRESSOR SE, rising to £37,205 for the C 350 Sport.

SE, Elegance and Sport distinguished by unique radiator grilles. Three extended horizontal louvres and a large centrally positioned Mercedes star define Sport models which combine a luxury specification with first class driving dynamics. Elegance models feature chrome highlights on the radiator grille which is finished in high-gloss paint accentuating its comfort and luxury. Finally, the SE line offers the same technical innovations but in a deliberately more restrained and traditional package, and together with Elegance features a more executive design with a bonnet-mounted Mercedes star.

Single-action folding rear seats, split 1/3 : 2/3 split, collapse to create a virtually flat load floor measuring around 1.80 metres long and up to 1.20 metres wide. Luggage capacity expands from a thoroughly practical 485 litres behind the seats – 690 litres to the roof – to 1500 litres (loaded to roof level, VDA measuring method) with the rear seats folded down.

That means the C-Class Estate can swallow four golf bags and four trolleys. For everybody else, it is perhaps best to imagine the largest possible cuboid that could fit into the load compartment: 943 x 599 x 1465 mm equates to a volume of 827 litres, or approximately two and a half washing machines. That’s 66 litres more than the outgoing model and between 50 and 100 litres more than comparable premium estate models.

Maximum utilisable interior length of 2.82 metres, measured from the tailgate to the front passenger footwell – a whole 170 mm more than in its predecessor.

A new self-levelling rear suspension is available for £560. This uses an automatically pumping hydropneumatic system in which all components are fully integrated into the rear shock absorbers, saving space and weight. The energy required by the system is derived while the vehicle is on the move from the relative movements between the axle and body.

December 2010

Revised C-Class revealed

The revised C-Class will be launched in spring 2011 and is a comprehensive modernisation. The front and rear sections of this best selling model have a more striking design. There is now a high-resolution colour display screen in the instrument cluster, an elegant new dashboard with grained surface and prominent decorative trim emphasising the premium character of the interior. A total of more than 2,000 new components distinguish the latest generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class from its predecessor. The UK market launch of the Saloon and Estate versions will take place in March 2011.

The shape of the clear-lens headlamps has been modified to create a more dynamic and resolute impression, and to act together with the bonnet, radiator grille and bumper to emphasise the V-shape of the front section. This impression is reinforced by both the exterior form of the headlamps and the interior of the housings. The headlamps show their modernity by precision and an interplay between matt and high-sheen areas. The halogen headlamps are arranged in the classic way, with low beam on the outside, high beam on the inside and the indicators neatly arranged in the outer corner formed with the front wing.

The main focus of the design work in the interior was on restyling the dashboard with its integrated screen and new surface grain. The touch surfaces of the controls are now also more finely detailed and galvanised. A stepped extension to the instrument cluster now also accommodates the central display. The instrument cluster and a discreet light-catching contour continue into the front passenger side while the central, trapezoidal air vents and the round vents on the outside are highlighted in detail by galvanised trim.

All the petrol engines in the model series have direct injection. One of the highlights is the introduction of the new V6 petrol engine with its innovative and highly efficient BlueDIRECT process in the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY. The quantum leap in efficiency is particularly well illustrated by the six-cylinder unit. Power has increased considerably, the C 350 BlueEFFICIENCY delivering 306 hp and 370 Nm (previously 292 hp and 365 Nm).

The four-cylinder petrol engines, which made a great evolutionary leap forward in 2009 and all feature direct injection and turbocharging and excel with high performance and exemplary economy.

The most economical model in the Mercedes C-Class range has also become even more frugal: the C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with the manual six-speed transmission and the standard ECO start/stop function. This corresponds to 117g/km of CO2. In conjunction with the improved 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and the ECO start/stop function included as standard, the C220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY both deliver top-class figures with a combined diesel consumption of 58.8mpg. This corresponds toemissions of 125g/km.

The multimedia system COMAND Online now provides internet access for the first time (via the customers data enabled mobile phone). When the car is stationary, customers are able to browse freely or surf to a Mercedes-Benz Online service whose pages load particularly rapidly and are also easy to use while on the move. The integrated services include weather information and a special destination search via Google, as well as the option of downloading a route that has been previously configured on a PC using Google Maps and sent to the car. The navigation system of COMAND Online also has added functions.

Also new: routes covered can be recorded and repeated later, specific personal destinations can be imported via an SD card and four alternative routes can be displayed on the navigation map, one of them a particularly economical variation.

As a first in the C-Class, the BeckerMAP PILOT makes a low-cost navigation function, which can also be retrofitted, available for the entry-level Audio 20 CD radio. Its advantages over aftermarket solutions include integrated operation via the central controls and the Audio 20 display, a concealed location in the glove compartment and updating via an internet portal