Imagine the new Mercedes C-Class, add to that a maximum of 1500 liters of cargo space and you will end up with the new Mercedes C-Class Estate. The wagon version comes in three guises, namely the Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde. The Avantgarde is the sportiest of the three and the first Mercedes estate to carry its star in the middle of the grill, the distinctive mark of a sporty model.

The designers have taken customers expectations very seriously and have made the trunk door steeper, allowing 485 liters of cargo with the rear seats up. Fold the rear seats down and luggage room increases to 1500 liters, more than any other estate in its class. The design team have put it to the test and discovered the car can hold four golf bags and trolleys, or 44 drinks crates (holding six 1 liter bottle each) or a square box with a volume of 827 liters.

The engine line-up corresponds to the C-Class saloon, which means a 13 to 20 hp power increase over the previous generation while cutting fuel consumption by as much as 10.3 percent.

The new C-Class Estate is also available with the Agility Control package which allows the driver to switch at will between two different suspension set-ups allowing for either a comfortable ride or a sporty one. The shock absorbers are controlled with infinitely variable electronic control, the car is lowered by 15mm and the suspension comes with shorter springs and thicker torsion bars. Also, the optional package includes a six percent more direct steering system and a short-throw six-speed transmission. An AMG sports package is available to which adds an additional sports suspension with shorter springs and firmer shock absorbers, 17 inch alloy wheels and is lowered by 15mm.