Mercedes C-Class facelift: illuminated grille, new engines

After five years, Mercedes is extensively updating the Mercedes C-Class W206 mid-size sedan and the related T-Model estate, which receive an illuminated grille, new petrol engines with an electric compressor and a new multimedia system with Google Maps and artificial intelligence. The car can already be ordered as of today, August 18, 2026.

After five years, it was time for an update of the C-Class W206. Launched in February 2021, the fifth-generation C-Class continues to be based on the MRA II platform and is completely different from the new electric C-Class, which is built on the dedicated MB.EA electric architecture.

New design

The front end is completely new and totally different from that of the electric C-Class. With a more vertically oriented design, the radiator grille features a structure made of hot-pressed stars and a chrome frame with an LED strip. Depending on the market, the central logo is also illuminated. A glossy panel connects the grille with the headlights, which have received a new light signature that mimics the brand’s logo.

The same light signature mimicking the brand’s logo is also found on the sedan’s taillights, but not on those of the estate, which retains the classic design.

The grille is completely different from that of the electric C-Class, whose central section is made of polycarbonate and incorporates 942 backlit illuminated points.

The new Mercedes C-Class facelift rides on wheels ranging from 17 to 19 inches, with a new 18-inch wheel design and two new 19-inch AMG wheel designs available.

Two new paint colors are also available: Lavender Silver Metallic and Moody Sky Grey Metallic. For the first time, the AMG Line Plus package is available on the C-Class and includes a small spoiler and gloss-black exhaust tips, the Night package, sport seats with contrasting red stitching and red seat belts.

New multimedia system, but unchanged layout

Mercedes has retained the original dashboard layout, similar to that of the AMG SL and AMG GT, with an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented multimedia display and a 12.3-inch display for the digital instrument cluster. A passenger display is not available, even as an option.

Mercedes is also returning to physical buttons on the steering wheel and introduces a switch for the adaptive cruise control and a rotary knob for audio volume.

The multimedia system adopts the new MB.OS operating system with Google Maps navigation and augmented reality similar to that offered in the S-Class and EQS. The voice assistant also uses artificial intelligence from ChatGPT, Google Gemini and Microsoft Bing. In conjunction with Google Maps, it can also search for charging stations or parking spaces.

The Burmester 3D audio system has also been revised and now includes 15 speakers producing 710 watts, and Dolby Atmos.

Two new upholstery colors are available: Beechbrown for ARTICO man-made leather, leather and Nappa leather, and Cherry Red for ARTICO man-made leather upholstery. These can be combined with three new types of trim: light-colored open-pore birch wood, anthracite birch wood and glossy silver metallic fabric.

Petrol engines with an electric compressor

All diesel and petrol engines feature a 48V mild-hybrid system with a 17 kW (23 PS), 205 Nm electric motor integrated into the transmission and are prepared to meet Euro 7 emissions standards.

The petrol engines now carry the M254 Evo designation and benefit from the solution used in the six-cylinder M256 Evo engines, with an electrically driven compressor powered by the 48V electrical system. It comes into operation when starting and at low engine speeds to eliminate turbo lag.

Three petrol versions are therefore available:

Mercedes C 200 – 177 PS / 270 Nm
Mercedes C 250 – 218 PS / 320 Nm
Mercedes C 300 – 258 PS / 400 Nm

The two diesel engines use the OM654 Evo with a variable-geometry turbocharger and common-rail injection with pressures of up to 2,200 bar. They can also run on biofuels such as HVO100, B10 and B20. Surprisingly, at least for the time being, there is no successor to the C 300 d, which produced 265 PS before the facelift.

Mercedes C 200 d – 163 PS
Mercedes C 220 d – 200 PS

A new plug-in hybrid version, the C 400 e 4Matic, is also available. It combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor integrated into the transmission, producing a combined 395 PS and 650 Nm – 82 PS and 100 Nm more than the previous C 300 e.

The battery has a usable capacity of 19.53 kWh and provides a WLTP range of 100 km. It can be charged at AC stations at up to 11 kW and at DC stations at up to 55 kW.

For the time being, there is also no diesel plug-in hybrid successor to the C 300 de.

Rear-axle steering retained

Built on the MRA II platform from the S-Class, the C-Class facelift retains the rear-axle steering system. At speeds of up to 100 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning circle by 43 cm to 10.64 meters.

Mercedes has also revised the C-Class suspension, recalibrating the adaptive suspension to reduce body roll and provide more direct and precise responses. Mercedes also promises lower interior noise levels and a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the sedan and 0.26 for the estate.

The new Mercedes C-Class sedan and estate can already be ordered as of today, August 18, with prices in Germany starting at €48,844.