The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most important cars made by Daimler. After all, it is the second best-selling model in their range, just behind the GLC crossover. It's quite an achievement given the age of the current generation. The fourth-generation model (fifth if you count the 190E) first rolled out of Bremen way back in 2015.
That makes the current C-Class, also known as the W205, a six-year-old car. Two of its prime competitors, the BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS, recently received extensive redesigns. So now is a good time for Mercedes-Benz to roll out the all-new model.
As it turns out, the German automaker has been busy putting in the final development work on the next-gen C-Class. Alleged photos of it even surfaced online without any camouflage. What we're looking at here might be the 2022 model.
So, what's new with it? When it comes to the design, it seems that Mercedes-Benz didn't want to take too many risks. If this is the all-new C-Class, the redesign can perhaps be called evolutionary. As a model that sells over 300,000 units per year, it's understandable why Mercedes-Benz took a more cautious approach.
Should this be the final look, you'll see a fair bit of resemblance to the current model and the all-new S-Class. There's the slimmer headlights, wider grille, and prominent lower air intakes. If anything, it follows the C-Class tradition of looking like a baby S-Class. It's pretty much been that way since 1993 from the first C-Class. The spied car may be an Avantgarde model because of the massive three-pointed star on the grille. We're curious if Mercedes-Benz will keep the Exclusive model that retains the traditional hood star.
As for the rear, it might follow the look of the S-Class and heavily facelifted E-Class. We might not see the rounded-off, triangular taillights anymore. Based on the other spy shots, the all-new C-Class could come with horizontal taillights, a first for this model.
It seems that Mercedes-Benz is looking to its past for its interior designs. While there are a sizable touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, there's a bit of a retro theme going on in the center stack. Three round pods sitting on the top center part of the dash serve as its air-conditioning vents. It resembles the one seen in the W123 from the mid-'70s to mid-'80s.
Now for the launch date. Mercedes-Benz isn't saying anything about it yet. However, more spy photos of the car are emerging with less camouflage. It's a hint that it might not be long before the reveal. Once Mercedes-Benz starts rolling out the teaser campaigns, that means we're getting closer to its debut. That said, it's more than likely that the 2022 C-Class will be out within the year.
Source: Worldscoop Forums FR