2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

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Stationwagon or estate version has always been about versatility and space. The new W204 C-Class Estate is no exception. Luggage space is a respectable 485litre with rear bench upright while a maximum of 1500litres is available for extreme load lugging, with all back seats folded down.

Powerplants offered will be the same as the C-Class Sedan, with the usual 4-cylinder Kompressor and V6 petrol, as well as CDI (turbodiesels). The top-of-the-bunch will be the 2008 C63 AMG Estate which will house the AMG hand-built V8 engine with 457hp.

European sales will begin sometime mid-September following its debut at Frankfurt International Motor Show 2007. Don’t expect to see this new C-Class variant in Malaysia anytime soon since estates are not popularly accepted by our motoring public. That said, we may see an occasional grey/ reconditioned import in say, maybe 2010 or thereafter.

Mercedes-Benz W204 C-Class Wagon

Looking much like a scaled down version of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, these are some images of the upcoming C-Class Estate, set to debut at the Frankfurt International Motorshow 2007.

Engine range for this C-Class estate is expected to mirror its saloon sibling. In this connection, the most brutal version is expected to be the C63 AMG Estate, with a sporty silhoutte much like the R63 AMG. Expected to be powered by the familiar AMG's 6.3L V8, it will likely be more agile and quicker due to its smaller dimensions and lower kerb weight.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-new-w204-c200-kompressor-spotted-in.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/new-w204-mercedes-benz-c63-amg-with.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/02/mercedes-benz-all-new-c-class-w204-in.html

Saab 9-3 SportCombi 2.0 LPT Sport+

By Dr Long

SportCombi is Saab’s lingo for stationwagon or estate version. Launched in 2006 by Auto Eurokars in Malaysia, the 9-3 SportCombi is an athletic and sporty looking wagon.

Somehow, this bootless version appeared sleeker than its sedan brethren, looking much like an extended hatchback, rather than a utilitarian estate.
Notable features include an all aluminium hatch, passive rear-wheel steering and frosted rear lamps cover. Another creative innovation is the flat cargo bed which can be folded to form a partition. Great for packing stuffs in the rear and not have them flung about! At the centre of this same floor board, an aeroplane-shaped handle - made of brushed aluminium alloy - really catches the eye. Lift this and pull up the hard board completely, a space saving subwoofer is mounted just underneath. In IKEA fashion, this 10” speaker with its housing fits nicely into the spare wheel. Overall audio performance is however just adequate.

Suprisingly too, this estate drove nicer than the sedan, despite sharing the same floorpan (wheelbase et al), engine and transmission. It was very pleasant to go around corners albeit with that little FWD tendency to understeer. Interestingly, this 9-3 variant felt well put together with that stronger ‘cocoon’ bodyshell. As such, it is reckoned that suspension damping - and thus ride comfort - is improved too, as a result of a stiffer body structure. There is just that appreciable bit more of ride pliancy than the 9-3 sedan. Or could it be that the dampers or suspension load ratings is different for this wagon (seeing that it is heavier than the saloon)?

The turbo spools pretty quickly to give a maximum output of 195bhp @ 5,620rpm. Hardly any lag and you could feel an addictive ‘charged’ power band stretching from 2500rpm onwards. Nicely responsive and torquey in response to a heavier right foot. Torque peaks at 310Nm from a low 2000rpm, and stays constant all the way 5000rpm! Braking performance cannot be faulted, for this is a car capable of 230km/h and a century sprint figures of 8.8 seconds. Despite all these petrol-head’s indulgence, in-cabin serenity, comfort and general NVH refinements are not an issue. Saab’s 5-speed Sentronic auto tranny is fuss-free. Well, the gearbox maybe just a little slow in engaging (manual mode) upshifts during hard acceleration but still no jerks or drama here.

High speed stability though is a little lacking. Doing upper-range triple digits on a deserted expressway, the test car felt ‘floaty’ and even a little jittery at the rear axle. Conversely though, tackling bends with Saab's ReAxs passive rear-wheel steering, this 2.0T Sport+ wagon is quite well behaved, provided throttle input is metered nice and smooth.

In conclusion, the 9-3 SportsCombi is a viable alternative to mainstream uber-wagons from the other famed Swedish automaker and even that few Teutonic Touring models. A pleasant all-round family wagon, this Saab truly deserves a second look for those looking for practicality, space, comfort and perhaps, a different kind of exclusivity.