New C-Class here in four months

The new W205-series Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan has just been launched in Europe and Australians won’t have to wait too long for the larger, lighter mid-size luxury sedan to hit local showrooms.

C 200 and C 250 turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel variants and the twin-turbocharged V6 petrol-powered C400 will be the first to arrive in late July or early August, followed by the diesel-electric C 350 BlueTEC hybrid later in the year.

Eventually, however, once the full range of engines and body styles are released here, the new C-Class range will likely be as large as the best-selling line-up it replaces, comprising about 30 variants.

Speaking at the launch of the new C-Class in France this week, Mercedes-Benz body engineer Heiko Kellerman told motoring.com.au that although the new C-Class would initially be offered only in sedan format, an Estate (wagon) variant is close to being production-ready, before being released in Europe from September this year.

Kellerman said the latest C-Class range would then continue to evolve with the European launch of a “sleek two-door coupe” in March next year, which is roughly the same time he expects the fire-breathing twin-turbo V8-powered C 63 AMG to appear.

There’s no word yet on a convertible variant, although the cabriolet and even a hatchback variant -- in response to the likes of Audi’s A5 Sportback and BMW’s 3 Series GT -- are also expected later in the model cycle.

Mercedes says the new C-Class is smarter and safer than before, and that it offers improved dynamics and comfort.

Larger inside and offering more cargo space, the new C-Class is styled to resemble Mercedes’ flagship S-Class limousine both inside and out, and brings with it almost as many technical innovations -- many of which arrive as standard fare.

Pricing is set to be announced closer to the C-Class’ local debut, however, Australian Mercedes-Benz spokesmen say we should expect “little movement” from the current C-Class pricing structure.

Locally, the current Mercedes-Benz C-Class range kicks off with the entry-spec C 180 at $59,900 (plus on-road costs) and extends to $172,052 (plus ORCs) for the asphalt-shredding C 63 AMG Edition 507.

It is anticipated that the C 300 BlueTEC hybrid will be priced from under $100k when it joins the range late this year.

Mercedes-Benz sold more than 2.4 million C-Class vehicles globally in its current (W204-series) form, with Australian sales the highest of any premium car in its segment.

Last year, the C-Class sold 5963 units locally against 5562 for the BMW 3 Series, 2843 for the Lexus IS and 2488 for the Audi A4.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our international launch review of the new 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.

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