http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=1030073
By Kyle Fortune
October 04 2006
Sightings of the new Mercedes C-Class haven’t been that rare in recent months, but until now we’ve had little idea of what the new car might look like. Spotted now without the cumbersome disguising, the new C-Class is quite a move away from the current car.
It features the bolder, chunkier style of the recent S-Class and CL models, with a more pronounced grille and strong feature lines on the bonnet replacing the smooth curves of the existing car. A bold line down the car’s flanks as well as flared wheel arches unquestionably give the new car a more aggressive, sporting look underlining Mercedes’ ambitions to have the C-Class seen as a genuine sporting rival to its BMW 3-Series counterpart.
Even under the disguising it’s clear to see that the new car is bigger than the outgoing one that it’s being benchmarked against here. It will share much of its underpinnings with its larger E-Class relative, these also forming the basis of the next-generation CLK- Class in both coupé and cabriolet guises. A sub M-Class cross-over model based on the Europe-only 4x4 C-Class 4Matic mechanicals is also rumoured. Initially though, the C-Class will be introduced in saloon form, with an estate following within six months. The saloon is expected to be shown publicly for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in Spring 2007, with the rest of the range debuting later in the year at Germany’s home show in Frankfurt.
Engines will follow the familiar Mercedes line-up, with the base unit being a direct injection, four-cylinder with output between 140bhp and 190bhp. Other engines will include 2.5 and 3.5-litre V6s, with power ranging from 210-270bhp. AMG will also slot a mega-power unit into the C-Class with enough power to compete with Audi’s RS4 and BMW’s forthcoming M3. That means a figure of at least 400bhp. An extensive range of diesel engines will also be available, oil-burners accounting for a significant number of European sales.
It’s likely that the new C-Class will also feature some of the latest safety equipment Mercedes has debuted on its E, S and CL-Class models. A version of ‘Pre-Safe’, an anticipatory safety system, is possible, particularly with Mercedes recently stating that it hopes to help the EU reach its ambitious safety targets of halving road casualties in Europe by 2010. Also expected is a development of the simplified ‘Comand’ controller, this system allowing easy navigation through the inevitable numerous entertainment, comfort and vehicle settings that will be available. It’s likely though, that like BMW’s i-Drive on the 1 and 3-Series, this multi-controller will only be fitted on higher trim models.
Cabin space should be improved across the range, the car pictured here showing adult passengers in the rear seats. The D-pillar clearly extends further out over the higher boot, appearing to give the C-Class a far more commodious interior. Boot space too will also be increased. This development car is clearly one of the more sporting models, with large wheels and low profile tyres filling the wheelarches and twin tailpipes protruding confidently from the rear bumper. Expect the C-Class to reach UK showrooms by late 2007, with high performance AMG models and estates following shortly after.