2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain revealed, not for Australia
Mercedes' mid-size wagon heads off road, with 40mm of additional ground clearance and hill-descent control – but it won't be offered in Australia.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain has been unveiled – but like the standard C-Class wagon, it isn't coming to Australia.
Following the larger E-Class revealed in 2016 (and facelifted in 2020), the C-Class has become the second Mercedes-Benz model to receive the All-Terrain treatment, giving the standard C-Class wagon a ride height boost and new body cladding to rival the Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country and other luxury off-road wagons.
The All-Terrain sits 40mm higher than its standard counterpart thanks to lifted 'comfort' suspension and larger-diameter wheels and tyres – with 17-inch alloys standard-fit in Europe, though buyers can upgrade to 18- and 19-inch units for an additional cost.
New black wheel-arch flares mean the All-Terrain is 21mm wider than the regular wagon, while black plastic front and rear bumpers, faux skid plates and chrome accents comprise the other exterior changes over its low-riding twin.
Enhancing the car's ability to go off-road are new 'Off-Road and 'Off-Road+' drive modes, which recalibrate the engine, transmission, stability control and standard-fit 4Matic all-wheel-drive system – which shuffles 55 per cent of torque to the rear wheels as standard – for improved traction on loose surfaces. A hill-descent control system is also available.
Despite its rugged appearance, the C-Class All-Terrain still retains the standard model's array of luxury features, including an S-Class-inspired cabin with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.9-inch central touchscreen on flagship models – though the high-riding wagon offers All-Terrain-specific off-road views for both displays.
The 'Avantgarde' interior package is standard, which includes a choice of black, beige and black or tan and black leather seats, silver trim elements, a three-spoke steering wheel, ambient LED cabin lighting, and comfort-oriented seats.
The 40:20:40 split-folding second-row bench and electric tailgate secure 490 litres of cargo with the rear seats up, or 1510 litres with the rear seats folded.
Digital Light LED headlights – featuring 1.3 million micro-mirrors and 2.6 million 'pixels', allowing images and hazard warnings to be projected onto the road – are available, along with a full suite of active driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and more.
A trailer package can be optioned, providing a 1800kg claimed towing capacity.
European buyers have a choice of 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol or diesel engines, featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid systems capable of providing a 15kW boost under hard acceleration, or powering auxuilary systems.
Outputs for the All-Terrain aren't quoted, though expect the 190kW/400Nm petrol C300 to lead the range, with a slew of diesels and lower-powered petrols also on offer.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain will make its public debut at the Munich motor show next month – but it won't go on sale in Australia, as buyer tastes shift towards SUVs.