Geneva show: Fresh-faced Mercedes C-Class surfaces

MERCEDES-BENZ has uncovered the new look of its market-dominating C-Class premium mid-sizer ahead of its public debut at next month’s Geneva motor show, with the model on track for an Australian on-sale date in the third quarter of this year.

Redesigned head- and tail-lights are fitted to the updated C-Class, while the new base Benz will also wear a silver trim strip on the front bumper to differentiate itself from its predecessor.

Avantgarde exterior-equipped vehicles, which is standard across all Australian-spec C-Class cars, sport a chrome-plated strip, the Exclusive exterior option gains a three-part chrome piece and AMG Line versions now wear a diamond radiator grille as standard.

Headlights can also be specced with Multibeam LED units that feature 84 individually controlled diodes for “extremely quick and precise” adjustment of the front lighting signature, according to Mercedes.

The new C-Class also adopts new interior technology borrowed from the brand’s flagship S-Class luxury limo including touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, touchpad infotainment controller with haptic feedback and the brand’s Liguatronic voice control software.

In-cabin colour finishes are expanded to include magma grey/black and saddle brown for AMG Line C-Class vehicles.

Meanwhile, the C-Class will also adopt the latest driving assistance systems that will enable it “to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations”, according to Mercedes.

The brand’s Distronic cruise control system will be able to pull satellite navigation data, for example, to actively adjust speeds before corners and roundabouts.

Active lane change assist, active emergency stop assist and active steering assist will also be on offer in the new C-Class.

A new tech option called Engergizing comfort control is also available, which can sync driver comfort settings such as air-conditioning, vehicle fragrance, lighting and musical cues for “positive effects on wellbeing and driver performance”, according the German car-maker.

Although detailed pricing and specification will be revealed closer to launch, GoAuto understands the lift in equipment and technology will likely come with a slight increase in costs.

Shown alongside the new C-Class at the Geneva motor show in March will be the AMG GT 4-door Coupe in production guise as well as the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.