The new Mercedes C-Class Break strengthens its road capabilities and improves its fuel consumption to the point of traveling nearly 1,200 km with a full tank of diesel in the 200 hp C220d version. Hat !
Test car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Break 220d Avantgarde Line 9G-Tronic
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From€ 54,450
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Do not believe that the new Mercedes C-Class drives almost 1 200 km without refueling because it has a bottomless tank. At all. With 66 l, the latter is in the good average of the road. It is therefore thanks to its record fuel consumption that the C220d Break drives far without going to the pump. It’s simple, it is more frugal than a city car on the road while taking advantage of the solid performance of its new 2.0 diesel, equipped with a light hybridization system.
In a template of 4.75 m strictly identical to that of the new generation C-Class Sedan (code W206) on which it is built, the station wagon retains a traditional style. No exuberance here. In any case, a Mercedes Break is not chosen for that but for its strength, its timeless look and, of course, its premium status. The new generation adds a great dose of technology by bringing on board the new MBUX system, intelligent voice assistant, augmented reality for GPS and an interface on a generously sized touch screen.
Price Mercedes Classe C Break 2021
The new Class C station wagon offers a petrol engine (C200 of 204 hp) and two diesels (C200d of 163 hp and C220d of 200 hp). Our trial version is the most powerful and, as usual, you need a thick wallet to access it: € 55,450 in Avantgarde Line finish and € 58,400 in AMG Line. Between the two, the Business finish (€ 56,350) is very important, because Class C is sold mainly to businesses.
The price is strong, but technologies and equipment are numerous in the endowment of series. The giant 11.9-inch screen, a veritable control tower of the vehicle, is the piece of choice, especially since it is responsive and its HD resolution is remarkable. The reversing camera, the blind spot detector, the smartphone charging by induction and the adaptive cruise control also come as standard from the Avantgarde finish. (see details of equipment on next page). All the station wagons are dressed in aluminum roof rails and receive the electric tailgate. Tradition requires, the 4Matic all-wheel drive can be part of the game for 2,400 €.
Driving
A diesel station wagon is often intended for travel, but the C-Class is not only good at road use. In urban areas, its size is still acceptable for maneuvers, unlike the big sister Class E, and its mechanics are very discreet thanks to micro-hybridization. The starter-alternator cuts the engine early and restarts it smoothly and quietly. The operation becomes more fluid, while the automatic gearbox, standard on all C-Classes, brings smoothness to the driving. The rumble of diesel is still present at low speeds, and this is where the new plug-in hybrid version makes the difference. Everything is back to normal on the road, where the diesel C-Class shows its talent and its appetite for long stages.
The 2021 Mercedes C-Class does better than confirm that it is the heir to a line of road sedans. The rear-wheel drive chassis is more agile and precise than that of the replaced model, even if in this Avantgarde version with its steering lacking a little feeling, the German prefers docility, leaving the AMG Line with a more assertive sportiness. The 220d engine with 200 hp and 440 Nm of torque nevertheless provides a high level of performance, and the force at low speeds of this diesel is reinforced by the 20 hp temporary boost thanks to energy recovery. New technologies serve driving. This is particularly the case with adaptive cruise control with lane keeping, which holds the car well in line, while the previous model tended to ping-pong from one side to the other.
Our trial version in Avantgarde finish with 18mm rims inches delivered in series has slightly disappointed us in terms of comfort. The suspension appeared a little too firm on the roughness of the road, disrupting the high-end atmosphere that reigns in the cabin. The sedan is certainly capable of doing better when it is equipped with the piloted damping (option). As mentioned previously, it is the sobriety of this diesel C-Class Break which proved to be bluffing. On the road network, our average consumption was 4.7 l / 100 km. A bird’s appetite confirmed on the highway with only 5.4 l / 100 km recorded and some 1,150 km traveled before being on the reserve. Consumption is better than that of any city car, and the record range will not help to switch to the electric car, unable to offer such long-distance mobility.
On board
Competetion
The premium station wagon segment is a German model business, and the C-Class can take advantage of its novelty effect to catch the eye. At Audi, the A4 Avant rolled towards the end of its career. It is therefore the BMW 3 Series Touring which remains the strongest opposition to the Mercedes. Here too, low consumption is essential, especially since the 320d is also equipped with a light hybridization. It takes € 55,550 for a 320d Touring 190 hp M Sport. Volkswagen comes to interfere in this niche with its spectacular Arteon Shooting Brake (57,560 € in TDI 200 R-Line) with a finish worthy of the top of the range and with a larger template. With the French, the Peugeot 508 SW It may well want to play in the big leagues (chassis, style and finish honor it), but it is no match for performance since its diesel version now tops out at 130 hp.
Find the test report, equipment prices and technical sheets on the next page.
