Over 2.5 million C-Class have been sold since 2014. With this 2021 version, Mercedes have aimed to improve the driver focused side of things without compromising on comfort.
Mercedes have electrified all the engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid power – adding a small power boost (which we’ve already seen in the E-Class Coupe) and a seamless lift-off and coast function.
The C-Class line-up will now be four-cylinder only and the petrol range will kick off with a C 180 with 168bhp, a 201bhp C 200 model and also a 255bhp C 300. Diesel models start with a 197bhp C 220 d, and also a 261bhp C 300 d. Base models are rear-wheel drive only, but 4MATIC four-wheel drive is an option on the mid-range and standard for the C 300 and C 300 d. Plug-in hybrid options will follow, unfortunately the top of the range C63 will no longer have a V8, but it will be replaced by a hybridised 2.0 litre four cylinder engine building more than 500 bhp.
Some of the major changes on the inside of Mercedes new C-Class include a brand new steering wheel and the dashboard is a downscaled version of the S-Class, with a floating digital instrument panel in the binnacle area and a large portrait touchscreen display in the middle tunnel flowing into the centre console, the rotary controller and the physical gear shift are gone too. Advanced level three autonomous driving technology will allow hands off driving up to 80km/h.
There’s an extra 10 millimetres more width from the wider track and it’s slightly longer than the old one at 4,750mm, while the wheelbase is 25mm longer. At the front are new digital LED headlights, the bonnet has an AMG-like dome and will be standard for all models, as well as the big and bold, AMG-style central star badge on the front grille. There’s also a more athletic looking rear end about the new C-Class too.