RENDERED SPECULATION: If Mercedes-Benz's C-Class Looks THIS Good, What ELSE Will It Need To Take Over The Entry-Level Luxury Class?

I think it says a lot when someone asks me or any other critic in the business what would YOU buy with your money. Probably one of the most common lines I hear in the this space is "Nice car BUT I wouldn't buy one."

That pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

For example, if someone told me they had $40,000 and wanted a good value purchase, performance and four doors the answer is obvious: Go get a BMW 3-Series. You'll get all the performance, four doors, and free maintenance with a vehicle that will hold its value. Would I get one personally though? No. I want something with a bit more originality. If it were my dime I'd want something a little less common in my neck of the woods. Enter the Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

One car I've always liked but never really recommended, the C-Class has always left me a bit dumbfounded. This generation product seems to have been plagued from the start with a powertrain that was never quite good enough and a first-take interior design that really lacked a nice feel. Mercedes got it right on the second pass though.

BUT with bad lease prices and a tight rear seat, it still didn't really make the "cut."

All this considered, Mercedes-Benz is in the process of producing an all-new gen C-Class. Obviously it's a large volume product for the legendary automaker and with the all-new CLA that seems to be selling like hot cakes it's going to have to bring it's "A" game to not create demand destruction. While this Autocar story says the vehicle's been "revealed," clearly it hasn't. It's just a render.

So, what would YOU tell Mercedes-Benz it NEEDS to have in the next-gen C-Class to put it on top of the entry-level luxury class?

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TheSteve - 10/19/2013 2:48:52 AM

0 Boost

I remember when the C-class looked elegant stately, and it commanded a certain presence when it arrived. That was the C-class that had quad round lights. Today’s C looks like it’s moved down-market (from a styling perspective). I looks like an Asian car.

Car4Life - 10/21/2013 7:01:40 AM

+3 Boost

I see where you are coming from, but i honestly think this new C is going to completely dominate its class, the current gen is the oldest on the market and still only second to the 3 series in sales, and lets be honest the new 3 series fell short of many of our expectations from a design standpoint, this new C is going full speed ahead and has to make sure it outshines it's new hot little sister...the CLA

cidflekken - 10/19/2013 5:05:38 AM

+2 Boost

If this rendering is accurate, then the C-Class may become the best-styled car in the class, IMO. A true "mini S-class". Outside of styling, it will definitely need more potent powertrain options with good fuel economy. it needs to hit the A4/S4/328i/335i head-on in performance. It is already lauded for its recent suspension updates, so that needs to maintain or even get better. And lastly, the most important thing will be interior quality. Mercedes has a tendency to attempt to go one or two grades lower with interior quality on initial introduction of it's lower-tiered cars. Then in mid-life update, they put better materials based on feedback. They need to come right out of the gate with an impressive interior.

MattDarringer - 10/19/2013 11:41:57 AM

+1 Boost

Generic, truck-faced nose + sagging diaper butt = ugly crapstorm just like the S. Clearly Mercedes took the stylists that made ugly Chrysler products with them when they left the merger of equals. This and the CLA are laughably bad looking.

genesee - 10/19/2013 7:42:40 PM

-1 Boost

this good? looks worse than current c.

autobroker - 10/21/2013 9:38:45 AM

+2 Boost

Hey everyone, Autocar has now posted the interior pics and it looks great! Have a look! Very high quality materials throughout. Class leader like the S Class went up a notch or two. Also, the article mentions some details and options.

Here's the link:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/detroit-motor-show/mercedes-benz-c-class-first-interior-details

david999 - 10/21/2013 12:49:42 PM

-1 Boost

I really dislike the round vents and afterthought screen. The rest looks nice, but I think something like lexus has done with the new IS looks much better.