EXCLUSIVE: Best look yet at the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class

We've had many pictures of the upcoming C Class before, but never pictures as revealing as these. There's still a lot of camouflage hiding important styling details, but these pictures show more of the new C Class than we've ever seen before.

We're expecting to see a production-ready look at the sedan about a year from now at the Geneva show, with the wagon version to follow by 6 to 12 months.

The new C Class is expected to be much sportier and no longer just a downsized S Class, but a more modern Benz which hopes to gain the attention of younger and less conservative buyers.

The rear-wheel-drive sedan will be the first powered with KDI EVT (electronic valve train without camshaft, supercharged, direct-injection) engines, and will incorporate other new technologies including the third-generation 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.

But as independent and modern as the new C Class looks, it will be sharing even more component-wise with E and S Class models.

Copyright: Brenda Priddy & Company

Matthew1 - 3/14/2006 1:52:04 AM

+1 Boost

Why would Mercedes-Benz make a car so ugly, with all the protruding panels and funny headlight design. C'mon Mercedes!


I'm joking of course.


Well, the widscreen wipers look cool, and will probably have an elegant sweeping action.

ContiRoane - 3/14/2006 3:37:27 PM

+1 Boost

I really hope Mercedes realizes what people at this price point want.

A fast, sporting, stylish sedan that stands out.

A reliable, well built , safe car you can trust.

Not a scaled down S-class with a cheap interior that looks the same at $30,000 as it does at $50,000.

Mercedes really needs to show us they care about the C-class. After all, they sell the most each year for their brand.

The new 3-series eats this thing alive as of right now and always has.

This current C-class just doesnt cut it. It didnt even when it was introduced for 2001. They were way too lazy with the redesign and missed the mark.

I really hope Mercedes doesnt screw up again.

atomicbri - 3/15/2006 11:54:40 AM

+1 Boost

The Camo rips off and reveals the front of the new C-Class!!!

Steve - 3/16/2006 11:09:58 PM

+1 Boost

I sure hope those Japanese looking headlights aren't for real. The quad rounds are a big part of what makes the E class so gorgeous, and the C such a good looker.

In other words, if I wanted a Lexus, I would have...

Steve - 3/16/2006 11:09:58 PM

+1 Boost

I sure hope those Japanese looking headlights aren't for real. The quad rounds are a big part of what makes the E class so gorgeous, and the C such a good looker.

In other words, if I wanted a Lexus, I would have...

ThwartedEfforts - 3/17/2006 3:42:26 AM

+1 Boost

Will, those "pinched back" headlights are more similar to the outgoing S-Class than to the new 3-Series. And in any case, the design has been prevalent on a good many European cars for some time now.

BMW might have pioneered a great number of widely immitated styling details, but that's not one of them.