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More than just an extended saloon:
introducing the new C-class estate 

· Expressive design with a distinctly dynamic line
· Variable interior with a luggage capacity of 470 to 1384 litres 
· Exemplary functionality and good economy of space
· Three lines with an extensive range of standard equipment options
· State-of-the-art CDI engines with significantly higher output and torque

Stuttgart -- The new Mercedes-Benz C-class model family is finally complete: following the launches of the saloon and the sports coupé, the Stuttgart-based car manufacturer is about to introduce the second generation of the sportily elegant C-class estate. The compact estate will make its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit at the beginning of 2001; together with the new sports coupé, it is due to appear in Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets in March next year. 
The estate is characterised by the same groundbreaking technological innovations as the new C-class saloon, providing the same typical Mercedes safety standards and matching the saloon in terms of its attractive design, exemplary handling, flawless quality, generous space provisions, intelligent functionality and versatility. 
The new estate supersedes the current C-class estate, which has enjoyed impressive success, above all in the western European market: around 250,000 models have been produced since the spring of 1996. Approximately one third of all customers who have bought a Mercedes-Benz C-class model have opted for the attractive estate. From September 2001 Mercedes-Benz will be introducing the new C-class estate on the US market for the first time. 

The design: curved line of the roof emphasises the dynamics
The Mercedes designers developed the C-class saloon and estate simultaneously. While the front end of both versions is characterised by the familiar sportily elegant appearance, the dynamics of the estate are marked above all by the long, strikingly shaped roof, its curved line falling sharply at the rear and merging with the flatly angled rear roof pillars. In the upper part of the large tailgate is a discreet, integral spoiler, which contributes to the exemplary aerodynamics and stability of the new estate. Here the estate asserts its independence, without dispensing with the acknowledged and impressive dynamics of the saloon. 

The equipment: three lines meet individual customer requirements
As with the saloon, buyers of the new C-class estate have a choice of three design and equipment lines - CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE - to meet individual customer requirements. They are distinguished by the design of the bodywork trim parts, the special wheel trims or light-alloy wheels and by independent colour combinations and materials in the interior. The AVANTGARDE model has 5-hole light-alloy wheels and 205/55 R 16 wide-base tyres as standard. The AVANTGARDE interior trim consists of high-quality aluminium; the steering wheel and gearshift lever are leather covered. But there is no lack of premium quality in the other two lines, where fine woods are combined with superior fabrics and materials.

The drive system: seven engines and three transmissions to choose from
The new C-class estate also offers Mercedes customers a high degree of individuality where the engine and transmission are concerned. The available range comprises seven economical engines -- four petrol engines and three diesel. The output spectrum of the engines extends from 85 kW/116 hp to 
160 kW/218 hp, the range of the maximum torque from 190 to 400 Newton metres, and the fuel consumption, depending on the engine type, is between 
6.7 and 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption). 
Two state-of-the-art engines make their premiere in the C-class estate: the smooth and quiet 3.2-litre V6 engine (160 kW/218 hp) and the high-torque CDI engine with a displacement of 2.7 litres (125 kW/170 hp). The output of the two other direct-injection diesel engines has been increased by up to 14 percent against the previous model - to 85 kW/116 hp in the new C 200 CDI and to 
105 kW/143 hp in the C 220 CDI. The torque of these diesel engines has improved by up to 43 percent.
When the new C-class estate is launched, there will be a choice of three transmission variations for the C 200 KOMPRESSOR (120 kW/163 hp) and the diesel models C 220 CDI and C 270 CDI -- the standard six-speed manual transmission, SEQUENTRONIC, available on request, or the electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. The various combination options for the engines and transmissions demonstrate yet again Mercedes-Benz's commitment to individuality, offering drivers various possibilities of realising their own personal wishes with regard to output development, fuel consumption, dynamics and ease of gearshift. The top model, the C 320, is fitted with a five-speed automatic transmission as standard.
End of DaimlerChrysler press text