All-new 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class leaked online

Pictures of the new-generation 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have been leaked online ahead of its official unveiling later this week.

The images posted both on Twitter and Facebook give us our first look at the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series rival without camouflage.

Adopting a more angular design that aligns the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class (codenamed W206) with the latest A-Class and recently facelifted E-Class, the German brand's top-selling mid-size sedan and wagon range will only be available with a four-cylinder engine and will come with lots of tech lifted from the latest S-Class.

From our first glimpse of the cabin, it's clear that Mercedes' flagship limo has also inspired its smaller sibling's interior design, with a similar vertical-mounted large infotainment system that mimics the S-Class' 'waterfall' design.

The rotary controller and physical gearshift have gone, the latter believed to have been relocated to the steering wheel or even the touch-screen.

All models will now feature a fully digital instrument cluster instead of conventional dials.

Other changes include stylish air-vents and a super-sized colour head-up display.

Under the bonnet both the current six-cylinder and V8 powertrains have been dropped, replaced by a development on the existing electrified four-cylinder hardware.

Even the mighty twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that produces 375kW/700Nm under the bonnet of the Mercedes-Benz C 63 S sedan and wagon will be produced by a plug-in version of the M139 2.0-litre turbo.

With the aid of electric motors, the next-gen AMG C-Class should dwarf the existing models for power and torque while offering a useful pure-electric range of up to 100km, plus all-wheel drive.

Mainstream versions of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, meanwhile, will remain rear-wheel drive, with the electrified four-cylinder engines matched to Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic transmission. A manual gearbox will no longer be available in Europe.

In Europe there will be a basic C 180 offering, but Australia’s core line-up will retain the C 200 and C 300, and a range of super-efficient diesels will be offered in some markets.

All powertrains will come with at least 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification with an integrated 15kW starter motor.

Also on offer will be plug-in hybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol (C 300e) and diesel (C 300de) powerplants with all-wheel drive, delivering more power and with an EV driving range of up to 100km.

Based on the same new Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform as the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the W206 also comes with a completely new 48V electrical platform.

Double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension configurations with carry over and all models will ride on steel coil springs, with the air suspension option now limited to hybrid variants. Air springs will remain an option.

Three chassis tunes will be offered including a top-shelf AMG Line set-up with electronically adjustable damping and a 10mm-lower ride height, and the first-time availability of rear-axle steering will increase high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability.

The W206 sedan and wagon will be joined by new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet, plus a new C-Class All Terrain wagon that will rival the Audi A4 Allroad and offer a raised body height, underbody armour, protective external plastic cladding, all-wheel drive and an off-road driving mode.

Advanced new autonomous driving features will also be available, lifting its new tech from the seventh-gen S-Class.

There will even be a summon or valet feature that will allow the C-Class to negotiate a parking structure and find a space without anyone on board and return later to a designated collection area using just a smartphone app.