The recent refresh to the Mercedes C Class may have been shadowed by the launch of the new BMW 3 Series, but the Stuttgart based maker is ready to plough some field back.
Mercedes is ready to bring in an all new Mercedes C Class to the Geneva motor show next March to overthrow the reign of the 3er.
This will not be a facelift but an all-new model worked grounds up on the new MRA (Modular Rear-wheel drive Architecture) platform.
The new Mercedes C Class has been lengthened by 100mm and widened by 40mm to make it considerably bigger than Mercedes’s new entry level sedan, the CLA Class.
This has also improved interior space - leg, shoulder and headroom have benefited. The boot capacity will rise to 485 litres which is more than fellow German rivals.
The New Mercedes C Class will be available in four bodystyles – Saloon, Estate, Coupe and Convertible. All four models will be sent to the AMG factory for performance enhancements.
Mercedes has lowered the total weight to 1,380kg and managed to increase the static and dynamic rigidity. The current MacPherson strut layout will be replaced with a new double wishbone arrangement providing greater wheel control and adding lateral stiffness for improved handling. The rear will retain the multi-link system of the current generation.
The longitudinally mounted engine lineup will consist of four-cylinder and V6 petrol units delivering outputs starting from 184bhp going all the way to 330bhp. A 2.1L diesel will also be available in four states of tune ranging from 120bhp to 220bhp. A plug-in petrol-electric hybrid is also in the making but details are a bit scarce on that one.
The engines will send the power to the rear wheels or all four wheels via a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT gearbox. Mercedes is also developing a nine speed automatic but we think that it will be reserved for the flagship car, which is of course the all-new S Class.
A new electro-mechanical steering system will be standard on all variants. A range of class leading safety technologies such as Distronic Plus feature with Steering Assist, Brake Assist Plus with Junction Assist, Attention Assist and some features from the new E Class will also trickle into the new Mercedes C Class.
For more details on the new Mercedes C Class, head to our product deep dive here.
[Source: Autocar.co.uk]
