FRANKFURT: Mercedes has been selling its current C-Class since 2014. After a mild facelift almost four years ago, the company's best-selling saloon is now making way for a new generation arriving in June.
What's new for the latest "Baby Benz"? Compared to its predecessor, built seven years ago, the new C-Class will, above all, make a more muscular impression on the outside with a so-called power dome on the bonnet.
This is a fancy word for that bulge in the middle of the bonnet that suggests an extra powerful engine is almost bursting out of the car.
We don't yet know pricing for the new saloon, nor have the wraps formally been removed, but Mercedes' chief engineer Christian Frueh gave some specifics on the design, noting a longer body, stretched out by 7cm to reach 4.75 metres.
This extra length is primarily intended to benefit the passengers in the second row, augmented by 2.5 cm more wheelbase, as well as a little more head and shoulder room, Frueh says.
And instead of the star on the grille, there's a large Mercedes badge. For the first time there's also rear-axle steering, which should make the saloon easier to drive.
Drivers will sit in a new cockpit inspired by the new S-Class - with a free-standing screen behind the steering wheel and a large display positioned at an angle between the centre console and the centre tunnel.
While there's more space inside and more technology, there is a downsizing under the bonnet: Mercedes is only building in four-cylinder engines, albeit all electrified with a 48-volt generator.
According to Frueh, the petrol models range from the C 180 with 170hp to the C 300 with 258hp. Among the diesels, there will be a C 220 d with 200hp and a C 300 d with 265hp.
The first versions with a plug-in hybrid and an electric range of more than 100 km will also be available this year. Mercedes is planning these as petrol and diesel models with rear- or all-wheel drive.
Unlike in the past, however, it won't just be the saloon on its own. For the first time, Mercedes also plans to launch an estate in this series.
According to information from company sources, there will also be a jacked-up all-terrain version of the estate, similar to the E-Class. In view of the announced streamlining of the entire Mercedes model range, there are still big question marks over the coupe and cabrio.
