There she is — the next SA-built Mercedes-Benz C-Class has leaked a day too soon!
Excuse the grainy pictures, but they’re first evidence of the all-new W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class due out tomorrow. Based on the MRA II modular platform it shares wit the E- and S-Class, the new C is once again big news for South Africa ,with much of its global production to come out of East London. C remains 4.7 meters long and 1.81 m wide, but its wheelbase grows two centimetres to 2.86 meters for a larger boot and more rear leg room.
THE BIG NEWS IS INSIDE
Another evolutionary styling step, the biggest change comes inside where a large 11.9 inch infotainment screen dominates the centre console as it does in the new S-Class. It connects seamlessly to a strip that operates the air conditioning and the like. Base models will have a smaller nine-inch screen, while the digital instrument cluster now sits alone behind the three-spoke steering wheel. Classic round air vents continue.
New C will get a new four-cylinder M254 petrol engine with a with particlulate filters making 125kW in the C 180 and 150 kW in the C200. The existing the OM 654 diesel generation is expected to continue as Mercedes has no pland top drop that ttechnology. Next uo is a 190 kW four-cylinder C300 4-Matic AWD with a 25 kW 30 second overboost that will also be launched as a plug-in hybrid.
Flagship AMG C43 and C63e four-cylinder petrols will follow and a 48-volt electrical system and air suspension are among the options. Watch this space for the official line tomorrow, Tuesday afternoon 23 February.
