2019 Mercedes C-Class Sedan Rendered With Upscale Look

2019 Mercedes C-Class Sedan Rendered With Upscale Look

With BMW introducing an all-new 3 Series and Audi giving the A4 a surprisingly comprehensive facelift, Mercedes wants to make sure its C-Class remains fresh and competitive. Plenty of spy shots have revealed the three-pointed star is hard at work preparing the next iteration of the executive sedan, and today we are sharing our speculative rendering of the W206. Taking inspiration from latest Mercedes sedans like the A-Class and CLA, the digital design exercise imagines the revamped C-Class with the latest corporate face and the sharp headlights seen in the compact class as well as in the latest CLS. With not one, but two sedans positioned below it, the next C is likely to grow in size a little bit to avoid the risk of overlap. The increased footprint will make the car a bit heavier, but the extra bulk will be compensated by the switch to the MRA2 platform making more generous use of aluminum. As a result, the next-generation C-Class should weigh just about the same as the W205 or even lose a few pounds despite growing in size.

Knowing Mercedes and its desire to make cars as sleek as possible, there鈥檚 a good chance the drag coefficient will be lowered to boost efficiency. After all, the A-Class Sedan is the most aerodynamic car on sale today, with a Cd value of only 0.22. The new C is unlikely to match that, but we鈥檙e expecting an improvement over the outgoing model鈥檚 0.26 drag coefficient. Mercedes has explained with the facelifted C-Class has not made the transition from the COMAND infotainment system to the new MBUX, so you鈥檒l have to wait for the W206 to get the high-tech setup. It鈥檚 likely to be more advanced than what the current compact cars have, and we鈥檙e expecting even the base C to feature a fully digital instrument cluster. Engines remain a mystery at the moment of writing, but we do know for a fact a plug-in hybrid version is in the works as per a batch of spy shots (see above) from earlier this year. It鈥檚 expected to utilize a 13.5-kWh battery pack with enough juice for an electric range of 31 miles (50 kilometers). Should you prioritize performance over efficiency, Mercedes has already confirmed the next-generation C-Class will spawn a hot C53 version positioned below the flagship 鈥?3鈥?models. If you care where your car comes from, it鈥檚 possible the U.S.-spec C-Class might not be built in Alabama where the factory is running at almost full potential and is busy with SUVs. Because there鈥檚 a huge demand for models like the GLE and GLS, a report from Automotive News indicates the next C might not be assembled in the U.S. A in order to free up production capacity for SUVs. If that鈥檚 going to be the case, expect the C-Class Sedan sold in North America to come from South Africa, specifically the plant in East London where W205 C-Class cars are being put together in both LHD and RHD guises.

It鈥檚 a clear case of the right powertrain for the right car: I never felt like I was lacking in power, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission both smooth and never reluctant to downshift when required. The 3,417 pound curb weight helps - a smudge lower than the A3 in Quattro form - as does the small footprint. While the A-Class may look like its bigger sedan siblings at first glance, it鈥檚 a far more manageable car in tight corners. The 4MATIC all-wheel drive lends confidence, and even in Comfort mode and with no air suspension on offer, it feels planted and controllable. Factor in steering with just the right amount of weight, and you end up with a car that can be more entertaining to drive than its siblings twice the price (and considerably larger). Even at slower paces, though, you quickly come to appreciate the cabin. Never mind its segment, the interior of the A-Class is one of the nicest places you can spend your time in a recent car, period.

Again, the feel is at odds with the specs: while you do get more rear headroom than in a CLA, the A220 still isn鈥檛 exactly overwhelming with space. However the design of the dashboard and the large greenhouse leave it feeling airier. It feels as good as it looks, too. 2,100 Premium Package. That鈥檚 a worthy addition, as it also includes blind spot warnings, keyless start, and auto-dimming for both the rearview and side mirrors. 310 adds the 64-color ambient lighting system and, while that may seem excessive, the way it so thoroughly lifts the interior makes it a must-have too. Further upending the usual rules about which cars debut which new features, the A-Class is also first to bring Mercedes鈥?new MBUX infotainment system to market. While it cleans up the UI and generally leaves the menus less confusing than the old version, the biggest change is the 鈥淗ey Mercedes鈥?smart assistant. Think of it as Alexa for the car.