Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate - the load carrier

Published: 21st February 2008

The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate Rear Side

The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate < part one

Spaciousness, versatility and functionality were key priorities in the development of the C-Class Estate. A programme of computer simulation with a basket of commodities containing hundreds of different items meant that the new Estate was doing digital shopping trips long before the first driveable prototypes were ready to hit the road. It meant that once they did, real-life loading conditions had been intensely analysed.

Better packaging and overall length increased by 55 mm and width by 42 mm mean the new Estate is considerably more spacious throughout than its predecessor.

The 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 a cavernous 1500 litres (loaded to roof level, VDA measuring method) with the rear seats folded down. Compared to its predecessor, that’s an increase of as much as 146 litres.

827 litre cuboid

For those with a golfing bent, 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.

Yet another class-beating value is the 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.

But anyone intending to go on holiday with their whole family plus luggage, or move or embark on a major shopping trip, needs more than just a roomy, flexible car; they also need a high payload and once again the new C‑Class delivers, offering a maximum DIN payload of 530 kg.

Convenient loading: Easy-Pack automatic powered tailgate and load-securing kit

Thanks to a host of practical details, the new Mercedes C-Class Estate can be loaded more easily, more conveniently and more safely. For instance, two bag hooks and four rings for anchoring loads are included in the load compartment as standard. Stowage compartments with net covers and a collapsible shopping crate can likewise be found in all models, as can the combined luggage cover and retaining net.

The new standard Easy-Pack automatic powered tailgate opens and closes at the push of a button – to open it you either press a switch located on the interior panel of the driver's door, pull the handle above the rear number plate or press a button on the ignition key; to close it you press either a button on the inside of the tailgate or the switch in the driver's door panel.

Finally, the optional Easy-Pack load-securing kit (£170) presents drivers with even more possibilities for both partitioning the load compartment and securing the load with its aluminium rails, four extra load-securing rings, telescopic bar and retractable belt.

The new C-Class Estate also makes a perfectly good towing vehicle with a braked limit of 1800 kg. Optional self-levelling suspension will ensure it remains at a constant ride height regardless of the load it is carrying (£560).

The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate > part three