Mercedes-Benz says this is ‘the most stylish and exclusive C-Class ever’ made.
And with a raft of revisions for 2021, including eye-catching new exterior styling, more fuel-efficient engines and improved cabin space, it’s hard to argue with them.
The C-Class has been the highest-volume Mercedes-Benz model for years, with more than 10.5 million delivered to customers worldwide since 1982.
The firm says the C-Class has always been about comfort and technology as well as spaciousness and design, appealing to owners who want a true all-rounder.
And the new C-Class - which comes, as ever, as an estate or a saloon - certainly looks the part.
There’s a sporty new bonnet with ‘power dome’ bulges while the windscreen and passenger cell have been moved rear-wards to give the car sleeker, more ‘classic’ proportions.
The C-Class has also grown, giving occupants more space.
Elbow-room has been increased by 22 mm in the front and 15 mm in the rear over the previous model, while headroom in the rear has also increased by 13 mm in the saloon.
That all important knee room has also been boosted, with up to 35mm more in the back to ensure ‘journeys are even more pleasant for passengers in the rear’.
Meanwhile three new paint finishes – spectral blue, high-tech silver and opalite white – have been added to the colour range.
What’s arguably even more important are the engines that are available - each one now boasting some form of electrification, typically 48V mild-hybrid tech to increase fuel economy.
A 1.5-litre petrol engine features in C180 and C200 models, with power of up to 204hp and CO2 emissions as low as 141 g/km.
You’ll find a powerful 2.0 litre petrol engine in C300 models, with 258hp to play with and a 0-62mph time of just 6.0 seconds flat.
Meanwhile there’s also a brand new 2.0 litre diesel engine - the first Mercedes-Benz diesel to feature an integrated starter-generator mild-hybrid system.
The C220d gets 200hp while the C300d chucks out 265hp - yet both can also return around 50 miles to the gallon with emissions as low as 131 g/km.
All of the engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
And there’s a brand new plug-in hybrid C-Class on the way, too.
This vehicle is set to be the most powerful C-Class in the range, with a combined 313hp thanks to a 2.0 litre petrol engine, a 95kW electric motor and a 25.4kWh battery.
Crucially, this latest plug-in C-Class will be capable of travelling around 62 miles in electric-only mode - which leads the way in terms of rivals.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, comments: “Driving on electric power in everyday life and using the hybrid powertrain on long distances: The new C-Class is flexible, saves resources and as a plug-in hybrid runs for more than 100 kilometres on electric power - a clear benchmark. This too is part of our Ambition 2039 on the road to climate-neutrality."
The interior of the C-Class has been revised, too.
It now features a display and operating concept adopted from the new S-Class, with the dashboard and central display are slightly tilted towards the driver.
That also means the C-Class gets the firm’s ‘MBUX’ infotainment system, with either a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch driver display and a 9.5 11.9-inch central tablet.
And the C-Class also now features a ‘Smart Home’ function, which essentially connects your car to things like your home heating system and security cameras, so that you can check if anyone’s home, or if you’ve remembered to turn the heating down, while on the go.
All in all, the makeover means the C-Class remains a key rival to the likes of the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4, and it’ll be available to order later this year.
