With the sizeable promotional campaign to spread the word about their all-new G-Class luxury off-roader, it mildly surprised us that Mercedes-Benz would’ve had something in the works. Far from their marketing department’s paws, the now 4-year old W205 C-Class is being prepared for a mid-cycle facelift later this year.
Their fourth-generation compact executive sedan, in many respects, remains a class leader since it was launched in 2014, bringing a distinctly Mercedes-Benz-ish level of sophistication to the skirmish, fending off the A4 and 3 Series of its day. Though, in the time since, an all-new version of the Audi has already landed and a next-generation contender from BMW is slated for a 2019 debut, meaning the C-Class update will need to adopt a defensive stance.
According to Autocar, the new Benz is most likely to have its first appearance in a couple of months at the Geneva Motor Show, first being shown in sedan and estate body styles with the coupe and convertible to a fair bit later, toward the end of 2018 at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
Naturally, being a mid-cycle update (or facelift), the visual changes aren’t expect to bring anything dramatic. However, there will be some interesting new changes present under its skin, chief of which is the new high voltage electrical architecture that will underpin the C-Class’ improved capacity for self-driving features, advanced active suspension, and a more diverse range of hybrid powertrains. Be warned, though, that this will likely also lead to a far more confusing list of variant names.
While we’ll spare us all the minutia of specific grades and outputs, we will say that both petrol and diesel engines (all turbocharged) will be sourced from a new line of motors, respectively designated M264 and OM654. They uniformly bring improved credentials in specific output while also being measurably more frugal and and kinder to the atmosphere.
Certain variants will also be available with several tiers of electrification. In addition to the plug-in hybrid capabilities of the new minted EQ Power range, which will be equipped with more powerful electric motors and capable of more zero emissions range, some C-Classes will come with an ‘EQ Boost’ function that leverages the 48V electrical architecture to supplement the combustion engine with around 12kW of extra thrust for brief periods, aiding the car during fuel-sapping periods of acceleration.
The AMG-tuned variants of the C-Class, however, sticks purely with contained explosions to propel it forward. At the lower tier of the high-performance duo, the AMG C 43, will feature a relatively unchanged 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 that should, however, be treated to a mild increase in power. Sadly, Mercedes’ new 2.9-litre straight-six turbo isn’t looking like it will feature in the C-Class until the next generational revision. And the same is mostly true for the AMG C 63, whose M177 4.0-litre V8 is largely unchanged save for a new pair of twin-scroll turbochargers.
Meanwhile, it seems that Mercedes-Benz are also saving some of their engineering quota to take the C-Class’ interior to some new heights. The digital instrument panel is reported to be of better quality and higher resolution, supplemented by a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display running a newer Generation 5.5 version of their Comand system.
Elsewhere, there’s a new multi-function steering wheel, a redesigned centre console with improved touchpad controller, revised wood trim, new LED tail lights, and optional air suspension as well as Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus.
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