Mercedes introduces C-Class Estate

Mercedes-Benz introduced a wagon variant of its new C-Class today at its factory in Bremen in northwestern Germany.

The C-Class Estate is not only an affirmation of the popularity of the Benz wagon, a popularity that transcends decades as well as engine swaps, but also a commitment to Bremen -- a facility that already builds the C-Class, along with the E-Class, SL, SLK and GLK. The C-Class Estate makes extensive use of aluminum construction -- up to 50 percent of its body is made of the stuff. To help Bremen do this, Benz has invested two billion euros into the facility.

That aluminum construction is good for a 143-pound reduction in weight from the outgoing model, which is also shorter in length and wheelbase than this new wagon. There is 17 cubic feet behind the rear seats, but 53 cu.ft total. An air suspension self-levels for rear cargo. Gasoline, diesel, and hybrid engines will be available, ranging from 156 to 333 hp. Three four-cylinder and one six-cylinder gasoline engines are offered, alongside a C350 Hybrid with 275 hp, and a C300 BlueTech hybrid that pairs an electric motor to a Bluetec diesel drivetrain for 74 estimated mpg on the Euro-cycle.

Europeans, as we all know, are keeping the wagon dream alive -- especially the luxury wagon. 400,000 C-Class wagons have been purchased on the continent since 2007, with a third of those being sold inside Germany itself. Here, we will have the Volvo V60 and the Audi Allroad, a barely disguised A4 Avant. We have the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG wagon, a car that overwhelms with astounding horsepower, and a few others from BMW and Cadillac--for a while, anyway.

Mercedes plans to have the wagon on sale across Europe by September, at the latest.

By Blake Z. Rong