Christmas in Wales22
mercedes estate's
top of the e-Class
t
he world's sleekest production car is
about to be stretched into a snazzy
new estate. Classier and cheaper
than before, the new mercedes-
Benz e-Class estate will be on sale
in January.
although prices are still to be confirmed
mercedes says the range will run from around
�30,000 � a 4% reduction over the previous
generation.
it equates to a saving of some �1,400 and is
part of a mercedes offensive to target corporate
buyers.
Key rivals audi and BmW have stolen a march
among business users with the a6 and 5 series
estates.
now mercedes is hitting back and will be
offering manual versions of the entry-level
e-Class estate to peg CO� emissions at a
tax-friendly 150g/km.
like the e-Class saloon and coupe � the most
aerodynamic car in production � the new estate
has flowing but angular lines.
it is certainly stylish and the bodywork has the
Ponton bulge at the rear akin to the legendary
mercedes designs from the 1950s.
an electrically operated tailgate is standard
across the four model line up and the cargo
space knocks the opposition for six.
at 695 litres, the e-Class has 120 litres more
space than even the gigantic Volvo V70.
maximum load area is 1,950 litres and that is
large enough to move half a bedroom, let alone
the kitchen sink.
the rear seats can be dropped at the pull of
a lever and with typical mercedes ingenuity, the
release action triggers automatic retraction of the
head rests.
it takes all the fumbling out of the process
which is one of the biggest bugbears of estates.
the luggage area can be configured in several
ways by making use of a variable partitioning
device which is stowed beneath the cargo area
floor when not in use.
an option includes a pair of rearward facing
folding seats � for youngsters only � which
definitely makes the e-Class estate family
friendly.
initially it will be available with a choice of two
diesel and three petrol engines.
the most economical are the 2.1-litre diesels
which will average almost 50mpg, while the
performance model is the five-litre V8 with a 0 to
60 acceleration of 5.4 seconds, fuel economy of
25.4mpg and emissions of 258g/km.
in February, the engine line up will be increased
with the arrival of a 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine
developing 184bhp.
Despite its size � 1.8-litre may sound small to
pull a huge estate � the engine provides plenty
of punch. it is also smooth and refined under
acceleration.
top speed is a claimed 140mph with 0 to 60
acceleration of 8.7 seconds, and it is eco friendly
with fuel consumption of 35.8mpg and 183g/km
emissions. those statistics make it a keen rival to
the audi a6 avant 2.0 tFsi.
as with other versions of the new e-Class, the
estate will be available in three trims badged se,
avantgarde or sport.
all versions feature an array of cutting edge
devices which made their debut on the e-Class
saloon earlier in the year and include a high tech
system which can detect driver drowsiness.
manual models feature electronic hill start
assistance, while all will have advanced braking
and crash protection systems including airbags.
Options include `intelligent' headlamps which
adjust the beam automatically depending on
surrounding conditions and even a night vision
camera which can detect pedestrians hidden in
roadside shadow.
On the road, the e-Class estate handles
impeccably. the ride is enhanced by electronic
air suspension at the rear which keeps a level
platform regardless of the load.
sport models will command a �3,995
premium over the se grade and come with
amG body styling as well as uprated brakes
and suspension.

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