Following several leaks and spy shots on the web, Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off the lighter and more powerful new C-Class which debut at the Detroit Motor Show.

Powertrain line-up

Four engine variants are available at the market launch. A diesel in the guise of the C 220 BlueTEC which delivers 125kW/400Nm, and the three petrol models, the C 180 with 115kW/250Nm, the C 200 with 135kW/300Nm and the C 250 with 155kW/350Nm.

Engines will be mated to a 7G-TRONIC PLUS seven-speed automatic transmission or the new six-speed manual transmission.

Lightweight bodyshell

Despite the 95 mm increase in length and 40 mm in width, Mercedes-Benz says the new C-Class is up to 100 kg lighter than the previous model – thanks to some intelligent and innovative lightweight construction. About 80 mm of the increase in length is in the wheelbase which now stands at 2840 mm. Cargo capacity has also been increased to 480 litres.

Additionally, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be the first vehicle in this segment to be offered with air suspension in the form of an optional self-levelling AIRMATIC on the front and rear axles and features continuous variable damping.

The standard steel suspension comes with a selective damping system offered in four modes: comfort, eco, sport and sport plus and a sports suspension which lowers the car by 15mm as part of the Sport Package.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class innovative design features

Design wise, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class “represents a bold departure from its predecessor.” It features a long hood and shorter overhangs along with a narrower glasshouse and more flowing lines.

There is a choice of two different faces: sporty with centrally positioned star or the classic sedan radiator grille featuring Mercedes star on the hood. The model further comes with H7 halogen headlamps as standard and two energy-saving LED variants: a static system and a dynamic version with LED Intelligent Light System.

The cabin is fitted with the COMAND infotainment system, installed in either the standard 7-inch display or the optional 8.4-inch display offered as part of the Multimedia package.

The dashboard features less buttons, as many of them have been replaced by a free-standing screen placed on top of the dashboard and can be accessed via a rotary controller offered as standard. There’s also an optional touchpad with same functionality as on a smartphone.

Optionally available will be the company’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive setup and a number of safety systems such as Active Parking Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus and Traffic Sign Assist with Wrong-Way Alert.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class price in South Africa

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 180 – R415 900

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 200 – R436 600

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 220 BlueTEC – R459 000

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C 250 – R502 600

As with all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, the new C-Class comes standard with the class-leading PremiumDrive maintenance plan – 6-years/100 000 km – with no customer contribution.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Video

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class gallery