Mercedes C 220 d 4MATIC All-Terrain
Software Kraxler
Mercedes C 220 d 4MATIC All Terrain
© press-inform – the press office
After the E-Class, Mercedes is daring the C-Class All-Terrain for the first time in the shark tank of the mid-range stilted station wagon, in which Volvo and Audi are already bustling.
For real off-road fans, vehicles like the Mercedes C-Class All-Terrain are neither fish nor meat. Not a normal road station wagon and certainly not an off-road vehicle. The hardcore automobile climbers already refer to the implied underbody protection as lifestyle planking. Nevertheless, this T-model of the C-Class, which is 40 millimeters higher, will find its buyers primarily in markets such as Japan and Germany. However, Audi and Volvo are already romping around in the segment of mid-range stilts and making life difficult for the Mercedes. The fact that the Swabians are facing the competition for the first time with an All-Terrain C-Class is due to the E-Class of the same name, which has been on the market since 2017. “Some customers like the concept, but prefer an inexpensive variant,” explains product manager Thorsten Wilke.
But this C-Class doesn’t look cheap. The radiator grille with just one cross strut and the off-road look set the all-terrain version apart from the other T models in the W206 series. In addition, there is the optional digital light from the S-Class, which, as soon as it comes around the corner, emits almost at right angles to the left and right and thus illuminates a particularly wide area. With a length of 4.76 meters, space is not necessarily in short supply in the T-Model of the C-Class. With a base price of 55,394.50 euros, the C 220 d 4MATIC All-Terrain is almost 2,500 euros cheaper than the E-Class. However, the big brother has 4 KW / 6 HP and 40 Newton meters less than the smaller brother. This is also due to the lack of electrical support from the integrated starter generator (ISG).
The four-cylinder diesel is not a screamer, but lets the driver participate in his work acoustically. The support provided by the ISG mild hybridization with 15 kW / 20 PS and, above all, the torque of 200 Newton meters significantly minimize the lack of acceleration and help move the 1,825 kilogram C-Class All-Terrain more smoothly than you would with an engine two liters displacement and 147 kW / 200 PS expected. The fact that the maximum torque of 440 Newton meters is already available at 1,800 rpm is certainly not a disadvantage. After 7.8 seconds, the All-Terrain reaches the 100 km / h mark from a standstill and only has to show the air resistance at 231 km / h. Mercedes states the consumption at 5.6 l / 100 km, during our test drive 1.9 l / 100 km more flowed through the combustion chambers, but we were also faster on the autobahn.
The comfort of the classic steel chassis is also little cause for criticism. The fact that the stilt station wagon leans a little in the curves probably only bothers sports car fans who want the wetness of the vehicle to constantly sniff over the asphalt at a height of a few centimeters. Therefore, the spread of the driving modes could be a little more pronounced. If you click through the driving programs, you will look in vain for a Sport Plus setting. There are two off-road programs that are suitable for sand or snow (off-road) and rock (off-road plus).
The engineers achieved the 40 millimeter higher ground clearance with other springs (plus 30 millimeters) and larger tires (plus 10 millimeters). Off the beaten track, the Mercedes C 220 d 4Matic All-Terrain manages without classic terrain systems such as locks or gear reduction. Off-road alpinism is only implemented through the control systems. “We have significantly improved the control convenience,” explains test manager Christof Kühner. During a trip to an off-road area, the software climber did very well and managed really crisp inclines without any problems. The fact that the hill descent control also brakes the station wagon backwards to the set speed helps when maneuvering in the snow. So you can get to the Alm without any problems even in winter.
The navigation system and infotainment are responsible for finding the way. At first glance, it doesn’t differ from the other C-Classes. So the All-Terrain also has a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit and a central 11.9-inch tablet touchscreen that is inclined six degrees towards the driver. There is also the head-up display, which projects the information about 4.5 meters in front of the bonnet. However, something has changed in the software and with the latest update, virtual favorites buttons have been introduced that are based on the driver’s preferences. The Kraxel C-Class will be available from dealers from December.