Five years after the E-Class and especially twelve years after its competitor Audi A4Allroad, the C-Class is in turn dressed in an adventurous outfit and a raised ground clearance with all-wheel drive. A recipe always attractive for those who do not want to get into an SUV.
Test car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Break All-Terrain 220d 4Matic
|
From€ 58,950
no bonus |
Technological and chic, the latest generation of the Mercedes C-Class Break (W206) welcomes for the first time an All-Terrain version intended to broaden its field of action. The additional 40 mm of ground clearance modifies the appearance of the “small” Mercedes estate (4.75 m in length), which adds to it the traditional range of the adventurer: fender guards in raw plastic increasing the width by 2 cm, reinforced sills and shields with metallic applications, specific 17 to 19 inch rims here and specific grille for this version. The result: a nicely voluntary look to tackle snowy tracks and roads.
But, beyond the know-how, it is the know-how that counts! And this version includes the essential ingredients with a 4Matic all-wheel drive and two specific modes for evolving in difficult terrain. The C-Class All-Terrain is offered with two micro-hybrid powertrains of the classic range, in gasoline 200 and with the big diesel 220d, but not for the moment in plug-in hybrid 300e. This is the diesel version that we have chosen to try here, while it still represents the bulk of sales for such a model.
Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain price
The All-Terrain version is based on the basic Avantgarde finish, billed at € 1,100 more, which gives a price of € 58,950 for our 220d version (€ 55,550 in C200 gasoline). It receives some specific equipment as standard, in particular Digital Light lighting. The supplement thus seems reasonable, while the original price is in a high range. Fortunately, the base endowment is generous, especially for the impressive second generation MBUX connected infotainment. We can just regret having to go through the options box to be entitled to semi-autonomous driving (pack at € 2,350), often standard at this level of the range.
Driving
The Comfort undercarriage specific to this version lives up to its name. Raised by 40 mm, it offers a soft suspension appreciable on road as on rolling track, even with the 18 inch tires and in the absence of active suspension. Outside asphalt, two specific driving modes are offered, Offroad and Offroad +, playing on the steering, ESP, engine, gearbox and 4Matic transmission. Offroad + mode, limited to 45 km / h, offers automatic downhill speed control adjustable and applicable in both forward and reverse gear, in the event that an obstacle would have been too difficult to cross, to return safely to the point of departure.
Of course, this version does not have the claims of crossing a G-Class! But she is able to manage very well to find a picnic area or to go up in station on snowdrifts in formation. The 4Matic all-wheel drive distributes 55% of the power to the rear axle, and in offroad modes more freedom of skating is allowed for more efficiency on soft ground. It also allows a more fun ride before the intervention of traction control and ESP. To make sure not to exceed its capabilities, peripheral cameras with 360 ° vision help with delicate passages. At night, the 2.6 million pixel digital lighting supplied as standard includes a special function coupled with the activation of the Offroad modes which allows better viewing and analysis of the terrain. Once the vehicle is back on the road, the system offers a range of up to 600 m!
With almost 1.9 t on the scale, the All-Terrain has a mass worthy of an SUV. HFortunately, its lower center of gravity provides very appreciable agility on the road. This 200 hp Mercedes diesel station wagon is at home anywhere. It is manoeuvrable and responsive thanks to its flawless traction, its precise undercarriages and its very reassuring behavior. The model uses the high-performance OM 654 M four-cylinder engine 48 V micro-hybrid with its integrated starter-alternator ; this allows discreet restarts and delivers a temporary boost of 20 hp.
If the consumptions displayed are identical to those of the normal 4Matic version, our All-Terrain loses in the process… 26 l of tank capacity, with only 40 l! If we rented the some 1,200 km possible without refueling with the 220d station wagon version, this is out of the question here. This increases the frequency of pump trips. Fortunately, at legal motorway speeds, the engine offers great fuel economy, around 6 l / 100 km. The additional 85 kg mainly due to the four-wheel drive require more sustained revival, despite a generous torque of 440 Nm available very early (1,800 rpm) and an excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox. As a result, diesel sometimes remembers a little too much to our ears.
On board
Competetion
At this level of range, the competition can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Audi is one of the precursors of this kind of version, and its A4 Allroad is probably the most direct competitor of our C-Class. It looks a little sportier with its fender shoulders and more aggressive front end. On the other hand, its less high-tech interior betrays its age. However, it defends itself very well on the engine side with a TDI of 204 hp displayed from € 53,220, or a attack price about 10% lower. And for less than € 2,000 more, it offers access to its beautiful diesel six-cylinder 286 hp. Another historical player in this market niche, Volvo offers its V60 Cross Country Pro. Very well equipped for € 56,000, with a 197 hp B4 micro-hybrid Diesel engine, his car nevertheless suffers from a more penalizing penalty of nearly € 1,000 this year.
Find the test report, the technical sheet and all the prices-equipment-options on the next page.
