In a market in which SUVs and crossovers dominate, there is a classic on which Mercedes has not yet given up on betting (and investing), that of family members, and the new Mercedes C-Class Station Wagon is the manifesto of how the transition towards the new you always pass through the “classic”.
That of the new “baby-benz” is in fact the first Mercedes range to be completely electrified: we tested it on a journey that led us from Milan to the Genoa Boat Show, on a sunny day at the end of September in which comfort guaranteed by the station accompanied a trip first on the ring road and then on the motorway for a couple of hours. Lane assist has been activated a couple of times, thanks to the traffic, gently tugging (unlike other more “impetuous” models) the steering wheel to get the car back on track and ensuring simple and safe driving even in difficult stretches such as curves of the Serravalle. Few uncluttered km were available to test the power of the 163 HP mild-hybrid diesel 200, but the car proved to be silent, efficient and reliable in full Mercedes tradition.
New C-Class, design and dimensions
On an aesthetic level, not too many new features as much as tweaks to make it more current, even if the fifth generation of the C, available in a family and All Terrain version, is clearly inspired by the flagship of the German brand, the S-Class, both in terms of aesthetics and for as regards interiors and technological equipment.
Undoubtedly elegant, with clean and essential lines that follow the dimensions, it is even more spacious and comfortable: 4,751 mm long (+49 mm compared to the past), slightly wider (1,820 mm, 10 more), it also has an increased wheelbase of 2,865 mm. The size of the trunk also increases, 490 liters, 30 liters more than the previous version.
New Mercedes C-Class estate, interior and technology
The larger dimensions compared to the sedan are also reflected in the interior, where wood and leather dominate and where the spaces for driver and passengers are more than enough to comfortably face a long journey, even if the low seat forces those who are not particularly tall to push the seat. the driver’s seat as far forward as possible.
The heart of the interior, however, is the “hi-tech” dashboard which uses the technology of the MBUX system (Mercedes-Benz-User-Experience) now in its second generation. The central vertical display is among the largest – just over 30 cm – and allows you to interact without difficulty even while driving, while the driver’s display, although obviously smaller, still provides all driving information in an intuitive way, and the The appearance of the screens can be customized with three display styles (classic, sporty, essential) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service) with different color and lighting combinations.
Among the features, voice assistant, integration with Smart Home systems and augmented reality, with the possibility of updating the Over the Air (OTA) server. Furthermore, the MBUX relies on a biometric recognition system that allows you to set different user profiles and pre-configure the car before departure with individual preferences for music, lights and seat positions.
The safety pack is also rich, among which the pre-safe system for front and rear collisions stands out, and also for the side collisions in combination with the driver assistance systems Plus package. The system creates a sort of virtual shock absorption zone that develops all around the car, and since in side impacts the available absorption area is limited, as soon as the sensor detects the imminent risk of a side collision it gives the driver or front passenger, even before the impact, an impulse that it moves away from the danger zone and pushes them towards the inside of the car. The system uses air chambers integrated into the side bolsters of the front seat backrests, which inflate in fractions of a second.
Mercedes C-Class station wagon, engines
Twenty-five years after the debut of the first C-Class, for the new Mercedes it has chosen to offer only 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid hybrid engines. Three mild-hybrid diesels with 48 Volt technology – C 200 d, C 220 d and C 300 – respectively with 163 hp, 200 hp and 265 hp, and a petrol mild-hybrid, the 204 hp C 200. The 265 HP diesel mild-hybrid and the diesel and petrol plug-in versions are also on the way, with 100 km of autonomy in 100% electric mode. The gearbox is a nine-speed automatic G-Tronic.
Diesel in particular is the engine that for Mercedes is the flagship and “will be the last to leave” in the path towards complete electrification and the achievement of the objectives proposed with the “Fit for 55” climate package, which includes other things the announcement of internal combustion engines for 2035: “The technology is very advanced – underline from the German company – and no one else will invest the money necessary to achieve it”, specifically about 3 billion euros.
Mercedes C-Class Station Wagon, prices
The new C-Class is available in six versions (Business, Sport, Premium, Sport Plus, Premium Plus and Premium Pro), and the list reflects Mercedes’ ambition not to compromise – as well as confidence in the new engine. Prices range from € 50,768 to € 62,606 for the Business version with diesel 200 d Mild Hybrid. The top of the range is represented by the Premium Pro version with 220 d Mild hybrid 4MATIC engine, which costs just under 67,000 euros. The package of standard equipment is rich, and several expensive options come from the S-Class, which the new C-Class is inspired by in many ways.
