Three models of the new C-Class Estate will be available for Australian customers: the supercharged four-cylinder C 200 Kompressor Estate (available in May 2008), the turbo-diesel C 220 CDI Estate and the exciting high-performance C 63 AMG Estate (both available from September 2008).

The Estate takes the trademark strengths of the Saloon, such as safety, agility and comfort, and combines them with a significant increase in spaciousness and versatility.

Quite apart from being able to hold a maximum of 1,500 litres, giving it a larger load capacity than any other premium class estate in this market segment, the new C-Class Estate also offers a host of handy features for easy loading and safe transportation, such as a tailgate which opens and closes automatically at the push of a button.

Just like the Saloon, the Estate version of the new C-Class has also been awarded an Environmental Certificate, which attests to the environmentally oriented development process as conforming to the international ISO standard. In terms of safety, the new Estate blazes a trail with innovations of the likes of PRE-SAFE®, and distinguishes itself as the safest car in this vehicle class. Eight airbags, belt tensioners and belt force limiters, as well as crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints all make up part of the standard safety specification.

Three different C-Class Estate models for Australia

Three models of the new C-Class Estate will be available for Australian customers: the supercharged four-cylinder C 200 Kompressor Estate (available in May 2008), the turbo-diesel C 220 CDI Estate and the exciting high-performance C 63 AMG Estate (both available from September 2008).

The C 200 Kompressor Estate is priced from $58,890 (RRP) and is powered by the same supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine as its sedan sibling, producing 135 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque.

The redeveloped supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet of the petrol C 200 Kompressor Estate now runs modified engine management, a more dynamic supercharger and is fitted with improved pistons, all combining to boost output by 15 kW over the previous model.

The $63,100 (RRP) C 220 CDI Estate comes with the same torque-rich 125 kW turbo-diesel power unit fitted to the popular sedan model and is the first diesel-powered C-Class Estate to be offered for sale in Australia.

This new-for-Australia model benefits from the same engine changes made to its sedan sibling. Improvements have been made to not only to the injection system, the turbocharger and the intercooler but to more than 90 other components too. The upshot is smooth power unit that delivers more power and higher torque.

The enhanced engines in both the C 200 Kompressor and C 220 CDI estate models are backed by the smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is not available.

The C 63 AMG sedan now gets a wagon sibling which packs the same 336 kW/600 Nm punch and is priced at $141,300 (RRP).

The car’s AMG-designed and developed 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine develops a peak output of 336 kW and a maximum torque of 600 Nm and, like its equally dynamic sedan 'brother', this high-revving, naturally aspirated performance engine delivers unrivalled figures in this hotly contested segment. The C 63 AMG Estate accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds; its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Power transmission rests in the strong and capable hands of the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC. Equipped with AMG steering wheel shift paddles and featuring three drive programmes, the seven-speed automatic offers everything from a seriously sporty to a comfort oriented driving style, and incorporates a ‘throttle blipping’ function when changing down gears.

This is the first AMG-forged C-Class estate to hit Australian shores since the C 43 AMG Estate in the late 1990s.

Three different model lines

The new Estate adopts the C-Class Saloon's customer-focused concept for the design and equipment lines. There is a choice of three model lines - CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE - which highlight the vehicle's comfort or agility to differing degrees.

The AVANTGARDE line features a large Mercedes star positioned in the centre of the radiator grille that emphasises its sporty, agile nature. This traditional distinctive mark of sporty models from Mercedes is now being employed in an estate model for the first time by the Stuttgart-based automotive brand. In the ELEGANCE model, a three-dimensional, louvred radiator grille with a high-gloss paint finish accentuates other brand-typical attributes such as comfort and luxury. The CLASSIC model, meanwhile, is deliberately more restrained and traditional.

New benchmark figure: maximum load capacity of 1,500 litres

During the concept phase for the new Estate, the designers and engineers at Mercedes took the expectations of the brand's customers as their yardstick. Consequently, spaciousness, versatility and functionality were given top priority. Compared to its predecessor, the rear of the new Estate is slanted far more steeply, a crucial factor for enlarging the vehicle's load volume. This now varies between 485 and 1,465 litres (VDA measuring method), depending on the position of the 1/3 : 2/3 split-folding rear seat -- more than any of the model's rivals in this class of premium estate car are able to offer. Measured against the outgoing C-Class Estate, load capacity has been increased by as much as 146 litres.

This makes the Estate a thoroughly practical vehicle in every respect. It is able to accommodate, for example, four golf bags including trolleys or nine large packing cases. The largest possible cuboid that fits into the load compartment now has a volume of 827 litres - that is an increase of 66 litres compared to the previous model and between 50 and 100 litres more than other premium estate models in this class are able to handle. The maximum usable interior length is a whole 2.82 metres, as measured between the tailgate and the front passenger foot well -- 17 centimetres more than previously.

Convenient loading: EASY-PACK tailgate and load-securing kit

Thanks to a host of practical details, the new Mercedes 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 optional EASY-PACK tailgate opens and closes as the push of a button, representing a first in this segment. Finally, the optional EASY-PACK load-securing kit presents drivers with even more possibilities for not only partitioning the load compartment - that measures around 1.80 metres long and up to 1.20 metres wide – but also for securing the load being carried.

The new C-Class Estate also makes an ideal towing vehicle and, indeed, offers a towing capacity of as much as 1,250 kilogrammes (for a braked trailer). The self-levelling suspension that is optionally available keeps the vehicle at a constant ride height regardless of the load it is carrying.

Accredited environmental protection: a twelve per cent cut in fuel consumption

Environmental considerations played a key role in the development of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class from the very start. This is corroborated by the Environmental Certificate that was awarded by the TÜV Technical Inspection Authority in Germany.

With brand new or redeveloped engines under the bonnet offering greater power and torque, the C-Class Estate is both economical and clean. In the case of the C 200 KOMPRESSOR petrol model Mercedes-Benz modified the engine management and fitted a more dynamic supercharger and improved pistons to boost output by 15 kW. At the same time, the fuel consumption figures for the two models could be cut to 8.3-litres/100 kilometres (down from 9.0-litres/100 kilometres). These figures are according to ADR 81/01.

For the new-to-Australia C 220 CDI Estate, Mercedes-Benz also gave the four-cylinder diesel engine a thorough overhaul too, making improvements not only to the injection system, the turbocharger and the intercooler but to more than 90 other components too.

The upshot is an engine that delivers more power and higher torque, combined with fuel consumption that is around twelve per cent lower. The new C 220 CDI now has an output of 125 kW (previously: 110 kW) and musters up 400 Newton metres of peak torque (previously: 340 Newton metres) from 2,000 rpm. Fuel consumption comes in at just 6.8 litres for every 100 kilometres.

Sporty agility: shock absorbers that change with the driving situation

The unique blend of agility and comfort that forms one of the exceptional strengths of the new C-Class is basically down to the standard fit AGILITY CONTROL package.

This features shock absorbers which automatically adapt to the current driving situation for a noticeable improvement in ride comfort when driving normally. As soon as a more dynamic driving style is adopted, on the other hand, the maximum damping forces are set to stabilise the estate effectively.

The dynamic handling package that is available as an option bestows the new C-Class Estate with a degree of agility worthy of out-and-out sports cars. The driver is able to choose from two drive modes which determine the fundamental suspension characteristic: Comfort and Sport. Within these modes, the shock absorbers at each wheel are regulated by means of an infinitely variable electronic control. What's more, the body is lowered by 15 millimetres and the suspension equipped with shorter springs and thicker torsion bars. The dynamic handling package also encompasses the new speed-sensitive power steering with a more direct ratio and variable centring.

The body index devised by engineers at Mercedes clearly illustrates just how agile the new C-Class Estate is out on the road. This index is calculated from the readings for various driving manoeuvres, thereby forming a new composite formula for a vehicle's dynamic handling abilities. The larger the body index, the better the suspension is linked to the body and the firmer the suspension's tuning. The standard AGILITY CONTROL suspension gives the C-Class a body index of 1.91 to 2.01 hertz, while the new model attains sports car like values of up to 2.46 hertz with the dynamic handling package fitted.

Hallmark Mercedes quality: the safest car in its class

The C-Class Estate has come through an exhaustive programme of testing, during which it demonstrated its typical Mercedes-like levels of safety in over 100 crash tests in all. The occupant protection concept is underpinned by an intelligently designed body shell, 70 percent of which consists of high-strength and ultra-high-strength grades of steel. The front-end structure comprises four impact levels which act independently of one another and enable forces to be distributed over a wide area while bypassing the passenger cell. The occupants are protected by a total of eight airbags as standard.

The driver, front passenger and the passengers on the outer rear seats also benefit from belt tensioners and belt force limiters.

The NECK-PRO head restraints in the front have a crash-responsive design, meaning that they move to cushion the heads of the driver and front passenger at an early stage in a rear-end collision to guard against the risk of whiplash.

The integrated child seats, which fold out of the rear bench seat have undergone further development and are now also fitted with a wraparound head restraint.

Standard features such as Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Programme make vital contributions to accident prevention. The ESP® system now incorporates additional functions: not only does it monitor the tyre pressure it also helps to enhance safety when towing a trailer with an automatic trailer stabilisation function.

The anticipatory occupant protection system PRE-SAFE® gives the new Estate the edge over other models in this segment. This system (which is fitted as standard equipment on all three models of the C-Class estate) makes use of the time before an imminent accident to prepare the vehicle and its occupants for a collision. The result is a considerable reduction in the loads exerted on the passengers upon impact.

Excellent comfort on long journeys: newly developed seats and air conditioning system

Inside, the attractively styled dashboard, the high-class materials and appealing colour schemes provide a homely atmosphere. For the first time, the colour concept has been extended to the load compartment too. On CLASSIC and ELEGANCE models, the customer's selected appointments colour is used for both the carpeting and the side trim. On the AVANTGARDE line, the rear compartment is carpeted in black too.

Newly developed seats, which can be specified with a multicontour function as an option, as well as a powerful air conditioning system (naturally fitted as standard equipment) add to the Estate's excellent comfort on long journeys.

The new Estate from Mercedes-Benz is the first model in this class to offer the option of individually adjustable three-zone climate control (called THERMOTRINIC). And the expansive panoramic sliding sunroof can be found on the list of optional extras for an estate car for the first time too.

The colour display in the centre of the dashboard is linked up to the controller on the tunnel console. This is where the driver can operate the audio and navigation systems or the telephone. A clear menu control structure makes it simple to access all of these functions and more besides.

Alternatively, there are the direct selection keys in the centre console: the car radio, CD/ DVD player, navigation system or telephone can be switched on at the push of a button. Subsequent operating steps are performed using the controller in unison with the colour display in the dashboard.

State-of-the-art technology: voice-controlled infotainment devices

Mercedes-Benz developed new infotainment units for the C-Class: Audio 20 and COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data System) APS. They both feature a keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, as well as a Bluetooth interface which allows mobile phones to be connected wirelessly to the hands-free system.

With the COMAND APS multimedia system, the navigation data is stored on a hard disc. A high-resolution map which can be viewed from different perspectives appears on the tilting colour display. The COMAND APS also comprises a DVD player, along with a music server for storing up to 1,000 tracks.

The LINGUATRONIC voice control system is automatically included on C-Class Estate models equipped with the COMAND APS system. For the first time, the new improved system is now able to recognise whole-word commands when entering a destination, selecting a radio station or calling up a name from the telephone directory. The driver no longer needs to spell out the names of countries, towns or roads, for example, but is able to speak them as whole words instead.

The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate: the key facts at a glance

Model	Power	Torque	Fuel Cons.	Load Cap.	Seats	Price*	Available
C 200K T	135 kW	250 Nm	8.3 L / 100 km	485 - 1,500 L	5	$58,890	Now
C 220 CDI T	125 kW	400 Nm	6.8 L / 100 km	485 - 1,500 L	5	$63,100	September
C 63 AMG T	336 kW	600 Nm	13.7 L / 100km	485 - 1,500 L	5	$141,300	September

* Prices do not include dealer delivery and statutory charges