The all-new Mercedes C-Class sheds more camo and reveals its next-gen S-Class inspired design. The new Mercedes C-Class (W206) is expected on the market in early 2021.
In order to remain in the race for the supremacy of sales in the premium segment, the Stuttgart builder is already preparing the next generation of C-Class. In the last months several prototypes have been caught during the test sessions on public roads. Admittedly, the camouflage is still very heavy, but we can now undeniably see the future W206, the car that will replace the current C-Class, getting the same shaped headlights, grille and tail-lights as the future S-Class, expected this year.
For the interior, the Germans will come with an updated version of the MBUX system and an incredibly large central touchscreen. The diagonal is still unknown, but judging by these spy pics, we’d say at least 15 to 16-inch is a strong possibility. Slightly tilted and angled towards the driver, it is placed much lower than the current model’s display. Below the display we see the controls for the climate control plus a full row of buttons with touch functions, controlling the driving modes, hazard lights, volume, on/off and so on. A closer look reveals that the display in the lower part seamlessly connects to a switch panel that allows the driver and front passenger to operate the climate functions.
The next C-Class will be built on the MRA2 platform (Mercedes Rearwheel-drive Architecture), a further development of the chassis that is now used by the C-Class, E-Class and so on. Version 2.0 is said to be slightly lighter and shares some elements with EVA (Electric Vehicle Architecture), the backbone of the EQ models. The 2020 Mercedes C-Class also gets a 48V electric architecture.
The new C-Class will continue to be marketed in sedan, T-Modell, coupe and cabrio versions. As for the engines, the Germans will continue to offer both diesel engines and petrol engines. However, Mercedes-Benz will introduce several mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions developed by the Mercedes-AMG sports division.
We expect the latest turbo four-cylinder petrol engines and the clean OM 654 2.0-liter diesel that debuted in the E-Class two years ago. There will also be a series of new 3.0-liter six-cylinders-in-line engines, of which the diesel variant can already be found in the facelifted S-Class. It is expected to come to the C-class with a choice of one or two turbos, with 286 or 340 hp respectively. The three-liter petrol gets more than 400 hp. Mercedes will of course also offer a plug-in hybrid, which combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with electricity. This time, Mercedes promises the next C-Class hybrid can drive at least 100 kilometers in fully electric mode.
We expect the next generation of C-Class on the road sometimes in the course of 2021.
