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The paint has barely dried on the new S-Class W223 and our attention is already gradually turning to another next-generation Mercedes sedan. The C-Class W206 will be unveiled sometime next year, and we’ve already seen our fair share of spy shots with camouflaged prototypes. The more images we get, the less disguised the test vehicles have, thus putting meat on the bones of the competitor BMW 3 Series.
Our Russian friends from bikes They have made good use of the latest spy photos by digitally removing their camouflage. While an unofficial interpretation, the design exercise attempts to shed light on the styling direction the new C-Class will take. It certainly won’t be a radical departure from the current W205, as Mercedes will play it safe by following the evolutionary route.
We’re getting a mini S-Class vibe from this speculative representation, which is good or bad based on personal preference. The next-gen C-Class is the next Mercedes sedan in line to drop the vertical headlights for a horizontal setup that extends into the tailgate to give the rear a wider stance. At the front, flatter headlamps that mirror those of the flagship are expected to refresh the design.
While the rendering explores the design direction the sedan will take, spy photos have shown that Mercedes is already testing the wagon and potentially its first off-road sibling with a raised suspension and standard 4Matic. Also, the AMG C53 has likely been spied on recently to signal the demise of the C43 in the same way that the larger E53 has replaced the E43. The best C63 AMG was captured by spy photographers, with the million dollar question: Will it really have a four-cylinder engine?
Speaking of spy shots, these have painted an accurate picture regarding what to expect inside. Just as the S-Class has adopted a vastly different dash with a heavy display setup, the upcoming C-Class will also look totally different on the inside compared to its predecessor. We’ve attached a couple of spy photos as an update, showing the redesigned center console that integrates the infotainment system by ditching the tablet-style setup. Downstairs, there appears to be a touch panel for the climate controls.
Mercedes is sure to play with the MRA platform to extract more cargo capacity and rear legroom. In China, expect a long-wheelbase model produced locally exclusively for the People’s Republic just like the long versions of the A-Class and E-Class. The company’s latest and greatest MBUX infotainment will finally retire the COMAND system and should come along with an expanded range of safety systems and semi-autonomous driving technology.
When it finally arrives, the Class C Sedan will not be produced in the United States at the Tuscaloosa plant, just as the Class A Sedan will no longer be produced in Mexico. Why? Because the current state of the hungry SUV market makes sedans less and less relevant. Class C will be imported from one of the other factories where production takes place, such as Bremen (Germany), Iracemápolis (Brazil) and East London (South Africa).
