New Mercedes C-Class spied undisguised
The new Mercedes-Benz C-class has been spotted fully undisguised ahead of its reveal next year.
Although the production-ready car has already been seen in a series of leaked images, this is the first time the new C-class has been seen in full and without any camouflage, with these spy photos taken during an official Mercedes photo shoot. The model in these pictures also reportedly shows the new AMG styling package. The new car will get its public debut at the Detroit motor show next year. Key among the changes is the adoption of a new rear-wheel drive platform, elements of which are shared with the E-class and S-class.
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The W205 C-class range will see the addition of a liftback model, officials from the German car maker have revealed. The new five- door has been conceived in response to the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 3-series GT, although on current planning it isn't expected to join the line-up until 2015.
All the new models are based on a new modular architecture, which goes under the internal codename MRA. As well as serving the C-class, the new platform will also be used underneath the second-generation GLK SUV, which will once again be closely aligned to the C-class and, for the first time, be offered in right-hand-drive form when sales begin in 2015.
The MRA underpinnings also provide scope for a stretch in dimensions, with the new C-class set to shift further upmarket in a move aimed at distancing it from the newly introduced front-drive CLA, which is 40mm longer than the current C-class.
Sources say the new C-class will have a wheelbase of around 2850mm, or 90mm longer than today's model. With a corresponding increase in length and appreciably wider tracks permitting greater body width, the new car is claimed to offer greater accommodation and load capacity than its predecessor.
Despite the increase in external dimensions, a series of lightweight construction initiatives, including a greater use of tailored blanks within the monocoque steel floorpan, inner body structure and other load-bearing elements, are claimed to reduce weight by up to 80kg compared with today's C-class. Further weight saving is evident in the body panels, which are made of aluminium, steel and composites.
Stylistically, the new C-class borrows heavily from the latest S-class, albeit with a more sporting grille treatment similar to the facelifted E-class's. The move is aimed at giving Mercedes's key models a more cohesive look.
But while Mercedes is quick to talk up the look of the new C-class's exterior, it says the real progress has been made inside. The new model features high-quality fascias, new-generation switchgear, the largest display monitor in its class and more intuitive touchpad controls, which is all set to provide what one source describes as "the best and highest-quality interior in the class".
Added to this will be a vast array of driver assistance, entertainment and safety systems, all brought over from the E-class and S-class.
The new C-class's engine line-up includes new, improved and carry-over four, six and eight-cylinder units, along with various hybrid options. All retain a longitudinal mounting, but changes to the front-end architecture see the engines mounted further back for improved weight distribution and improved safety thanks to better-controlled deformation zones than those seen in the current C-class.
At the more affordable end of the engine line-up internationally will be the M274 four-cylinder petrol unit in both 1.6 and 2.0-litre guises, currently used in the A and B-class in some markets and the CLA, albeit in a transverse layout. They will be joined from the outset by a lightly revised version of the OM651 ECO four-cylinder common-rail diesel unit in both 2.0 and 2.2-litre forms, both featuring Euro 6 emissions compliance.
Mercedes-Benz also plans a continuation of its six-cylinder engines for some markets. Included is the M276 V6 petrol unit in both naturally aspirated 3.5-litre form as well as turbocharged 3.0-litre guise, the latter set to appear in a new performance-orientated C400 BlueEfficiency model. Also planned is the latest evolution of the OM642 V6 common-rail diesel in 3.0-litre form.
Alongside a standard six-speed manual gearbox, selected engines in the fifth-generation C-class will come with the option of Mercedes-Benz's new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic, which was revealed at the recent Frankfurt motor show. Other engines will be mated to the existing 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic unit until a planned mid-life facelift in 2017.
Significantly, the German car maker's development boss, Thomas Weber, has confirmed that the new C-class will be the first Mercedes-Benz saloon to offer right-hand drive compatibility with its 4Matic four-wheel drive system.
