21 Feb 03
Like running shoes and lemon juicers, the modern estate car has become more of a designer-led style statement than a fully functioning cargo carrier. Not so the new Mercedes E-class estate. Like the original - unveiled in 1978 - today's E estate still uses a stylish (albeit understated) suit to camouflage its everyday flexibility and practicality.
Sitting on the same mechanical base as the E saloon, the estate is a mere 32mm longer than the saloon but that extended roofline boost carrying capacity by 160 litres to a cavernous 690 litres. As you'd expect, the rear gets self-levelling suspension to maintain an even ride height under load, but Mercedes estate fans will be disappointed to discover that carrying capacity remains the same as the outgoing model. Still, there are some impressive load-carrying innovations in the boot which we'll come to in a bit.
