3 How the range will shape up

For all the growth in SUVs and crossovers in Europe, the C-Class estate – sold in more than 100 countries – remains a very big deal; two out of three C-Classes sold in Germany are the estate.

The saloon and estate arrive here simultaneously this autumn (rather than being staggered by the usual six months). UK prices and spec levels have not yet been confirmed, but assume that standard spec will be skewed towards the top end, because that’s how Brits like their Mercs. The angle of the roof and side rear window, with hints of CLA and CLS, gives the estate a rakish look, but it’s actually roomier inside than before. The length of the boot floor has increased by 63mm to 1043mm and its height has increased by 150mm to 732mm. Luggage capacity for the estate is up by 45 litres to 360 litres, or with the rear seats folded it’s up by 40 litres to 1375 litres.

Like the saloon, the estate comes as standard with rear air suspension and self-levelling control. Electronic tailgate opening and closing is standard. Two AMG versions will follow, both available in saloon and estate forms: that’s the 400bhpplus C43 and the circa-600bhp C63, both using electrified fours.

There will also, for the first time, be a slightly more rugged, slightly taller All-Terrain version of the C-Class estate, along similar lines to the short-lived E-Class AllTerrain. It will be a direct rival to the Audi A4 Allroad.

What you won’t get this time around is the coupe and cabrio versions. The current two-doors will carry on into next year, then in 2023 expect coupe and cabrio newcomers – currently known as CLE – to arrive, to replace both the C- and E-Class spin-offs.