Photo: Kleemann
Mercedes-Benz is reportedly considering jacked-up versions of the C-Class and E-Class models. If approved for production, they could be ready within a few years. The question is, does anybody want them?
Usually, we criticize car companies for trying to invent new niches to increase their profits. However, this one is not a new niche, just one that Mercedes has never targeted before and that one of its rivals holds dear. Audi's A4 and A6 Allroad models have been around for ages, icons for a brand that takes pride in its quattro AWD system.
So what do we know about the Mercedes Allroad models? Well, Matthias Luhrs, VP for global sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars talked to Australian magazine Motoring and said they are "looking at every single niche, so we are studying this [Allroad] at the moment, but it is not confirmed," suggesting the obvious candidates are the C-Class and E-Class.
Luhrs believes this type of car would never sell in America and has limited appeal even in Europe. The current generation of the E-Class is too old to adapt. However, the W205 C-Class is brand new, available with the latest gearboxes and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Just to give you an idea of what a Mercedes wagon on stilts would look like, we're showing you an old tuning project based on the 2005 E-Class and built by Kleemann. Obviously, this isn't the car for everybody, but such a vehicle would handle better than an SUV and offer lots of space in the trunk. The development would also be quite easy, so we think Mercedes will be missing a trick if they don't offer Allroads.
While go-anywhere estates are being discussed, the Germans don't want to follow Volvo's lead and sell a sedan. At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the S60 Cross County was launched but has not become available yet.
So what do we know about the Mercedes Allroad models? Well, Matthias Luhrs, VP for global sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars talked to Australian magazine Motoring and said they are "looking at every single niche, so we are studying this [Allroad] at the moment, but it is not confirmed," suggesting the obvious candidates are the C-Class and E-Class.
Luhrs believes this type of car would never sell in America and has limited appeal even in Europe. The current generation of the E-Class is too old to adapt. However, the W205 C-Class is brand new, available with the latest gearboxes and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Just to give you an idea of what a Mercedes wagon on stilts would look like, we're showing you an old tuning project based on the 2005 E-Class and built by Kleemann. Obviously, this isn't the car for everybody, but such a vehicle would handle better than an SUV and offer lots of space in the trunk. The development would also be quite easy, so we think Mercedes will be missing a trick if they don't offer Allroads.
While go-anywhere estates are being discussed, the Germans don't want to follow Volvo's lead and sell a sedan. At the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, the S60 Cross County was launched but has not become available yet.
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