Without a doubt, crossovers->ke288 are the lifeblood of the current automotive industry, but let’s face it, when it comes to excitement and enthusiasm, there is rarely ever anything to get worked up about in today’s current CUV crop. Mercedes-Benz,->ke187 has filled just about every niche imaginable trying to inject excitement into its CUVs (such as the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA), and it sounds like the next step for the automaker is a new soft-roading station wagon based on either the E-Class->ke373 or C-Class->ke1593 wagons->ke143 (or perhaps even both). Nothing says “enthusiast” these days as much as a good ol’ station wagon.

During the Australian launch of the all-new GLC-Class,->ke4968 Drive reports that two Mercedes-Benz executives hinted at the possibility of a wagon-based crossover, but no details or timeline were provided. Such an addition to the Mercedes lineup would be positioned against the 2013 Audi Allroad and 2014 Volvo XC70, but this high-riding station-wagon segment is also represented by the 2015 Subaru Outback and, next year, the 2017 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen Alltrack. It could also stand as the global successor to the awkward Mercedes R-Class,->ke369 which hasn’t been offered in the U.S. since 2013.

As much as I like the current design language of the new breed of Mercedes CUVs and SUVs,->ke145 the thought of driving a jacked-up E-Class wagon would be pretty fun. Like other wagons in the segment, a Mercedes-Benz rival would come with the brand’s 4Matic four-wheel-drive system as well as a taller ride height and a key styling changes – most likely including some added body cladding and more SUV-like front and rear fascias.

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Why it matters

Station wagons are a dying breed, but perhaps they could get a little rejuvenation if the market had more crossover-like models to offer. The good news is that Mercedes-Benz has already showed its willingness to test the waters of various CUV/SUV niches, so there’s a good likelihood that such a wagon could become a reality for Mercedes. The biggest question would be whether or not this new model would find its way to the U.S.

2015 Mercedes C-Class Wagon

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