Mercedes-Benz officially previews the 2015 C-Class

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, codenamed W205, was officially previewed by the automakers on the Internet today. The wait for this preview, however, was peppered with shots of the car being leaked in magazines and video scans. The car’s world premiere will be during the NAIAS 2014 (2014 Detroit Auto Show) next month.

The automaker has concentrated on making its top-selling model line, lighter and also longer. Based on Merecedes’  new MRA (Modular Rear-drive Architecture) that will also underpin the next GLK, the new C-Class is up to around 100kg lighter than the outgoing W204.  It has grown in size, bigger over the W204 to provide ample luggage space and legroom as well. In particular, the car has an 80mm longer wheelbase at 2,840mm, while overall, it is 100mm longer at 4,690mm and 40mm wider than the car it replaces. It is definitely longer than competition like the BMW 3 Series.

Looking at the styling, we can notice glimpses of the baby S-Class, with cues like the upright headlights and grille, pronounced side body creases and the vertically oriented taillights. Mercedes-Benz has previously revealed the interiors of the car. The styling is clearly more dynamic than its rather conservative predecessor, emphasised by the longer hood and shorter overhangs, while the interior is designed to be more elegant and luxurious, with a flowing center console encompassing a 7- or 8.4-inch display, a quintet of retro air vents, touchpad controller and a head-up display. The climate control works with the GPS to shut the recirculation flap when entering a tunnel, and the sound system uses the body structure as a resonance chamber to amplify music.

The C-Class comes in four variant lines – Standard, Avantgarde, Exclusive and AMG. The 2015 Mercedes C-Class will launch with three engine options – C 220 BlueTec (diesel), C 180 and C 200. The diesel engine on the C 220 variant is a 2,143cc four-cylinder unit which outputs 167.67bhp and 400Nm and comes paired to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The petrol engine is a 155bhp 1.6-litre turbo for the C180, and 181bhp and 300 Nm for the C 200 variant.  Other engine options are available for purchase starting in April and June, the AMG probably starting in October 2014.

The car is said to debut with the seven-speed 7G-Tronic gearbox, but will receive the nine-speed 9G-Tronic in a technical update. There will also be the option for AIRMATIC air suspension for the first time. In terms of safety, the C-Class has in its kitty, systems such as the Attention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist System Plus and Enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist, as well as Active Park Assist, a 360-degree camera and Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Alert. Pelvis bags for the front seat occupants, new window bag, side bags for the outer rear seats and a knee bag for the driver also add to the list.

In India, we can expect the C 200 and the C 220 diesel engine as Mercedes-Benz is trying to streamline its line-up in the country. Pricing will be announced closer to the launch.

Ola Källenius, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: 'The new C-Class embodies Mercedes-Benz's claim 'The best or nothing' in uncompromising style. This is immediately apparent when encountering our new Saloon for the first time, as it creates the impression that one is sitting in a higher class of automobile. I am sure that our customers will be delighted by the high-class appeal and agility of the new C-Class.'