The interior of the new Mercedes C-class has been shown, months before the car's official reveal at the Geneva motor show next March.
Our spy photographers spotted this mule testing in the same partially disguised form as seen in previous spy shots. This time, however, we were also able to capture the car's interior. A part-digital dashboard, large central infotainment display and the familiar rotary control for Mercedes' Comand system can be seen.
Outside, sharper creases and a much sportier appearance than the current model is intended to create a car that appeals to younger buyers, something that is a key part of the brief for the new C-class, an insider revealed to Autocar earlier this year.
“We want once and for all to discard the idea that the C-class is a car bought by your grandfather, ” said a high-ranking Stuttgart-based official involved in the new car’s conception. “We have gone to extensive lengths to ensure it will meet the expectations of a younger generation of buyers, both visually and technically.”
The spy pictures also show the increase in size for the new C-class, a move that follows the introduction of the smaller Mercedes-Benz CLA saloon in the Mercedes range. It’s about 100mm longer than the current car at an estimated 4700mm in length.
The result is a more elongated look, with a smoother, sportier profile and character lines that are a nod to both the CLA and the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The increase in size has also enabled larger rear doors to improve access and a longer wheelbase to improve room for the rear passengers.
It’s clear that the front end of the new C-class will look much more contemporary than the current car’s. It features a more upright grille, larger headlights and a sculpted bonnet.
At the rear, there’s a more defined bumper for an edgier look, and sleek tail-lamps that extend into the body sides to help contribute to an overall low, wide profile.
The new C-class, codenamed W205, is set to be the first Mercedes to use the firm’s new MRA (modular rear-drive architecture). Weight saving and improved dynamics are promised from this modular platform, which will eventually underpin everything up to an S-class in size.
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It's attractive ..
But I don't think it going to attract any younger buyers! Looking at it they again made the C class a shrunken version if the S class. Funny they never do that with the E class .. Always seem to miniaturise the S into the C. No bad thing as the current s class is nice looking car.
Funnily though growing up I always heard young drivers aspire to a BMW and then Audi now I do hear the younger drivers talking about Mercedes models more.. So maybe Merc are slowly changing perception that they are not just making great luxo barges for cruising in.
I guess with AMG now a full fledged performance brand on and off the race track , great dynamic products coming from Merc .. Plus I read that in one of the taken with a pinch of salt Mercedes came 7 th in cool luxury brands list , with Aston being the only other car brand to beat it! Maybe things are slowly going in the direction Daimler want... Although I hope that doesn't take the focus away from going back to old school principles if unrivalled refinement , rock sold quality, innovation and reliability Merc are historically known for ... Not the naff quality that came out in the late 90's !
Oh dear
To think that in my youth I actually aspired to a C class as a quality status car.
By the time I got one it was plasticky inside, the trim squeaked, and the electrics were dodgy.
Now they seem to be styled for boy racers and I have not the slightest interest in owning one.
I have an Audi A6 - boring yes, but the quality is stunning and it doesn't have the hideous over styled look of all recent Mercedes
reckless fox wrote: To think
I know what you mean. Mercedes was once a byword for class and quality and was seen a notch above many rivals. And then it went pearshaped with the 1995 E-Class which signalled Mercedes' cost cutting exercise, but it really showed in 1997 when the A and M-Class came along. Woeful interior quality combined with woeful build quality, and this continued until the 2nd M-Class came along in 2004 when normal Mercedes service was resumed. Problem is, they are no longer ahead of its main rivals as Audi and BMW have caught up in the quality stakes. And even worse is, as you say, are the looks of recent Mercedes - overstyled and fussy, featuring styling cues that have no place on a Mercedes!
Bigger wheels?
In my opinion, Image 12 suggests the new C-Class would look better with bigger wheels.