The 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ load-lugging body has bared its midriff, with more and more camouflage being shed ahead of its debut.
We now have a better look at the smooth flanks of the W206-series C-Class Estate, though its front and rear ends remain under wraps until the big reveal sometime this year.
We can see, however, the horizontally-oriented tail lights look to be an evolution of the current wagon’s units. The new generation will also see the sedan switch to horizontally-oriented rear lights.
The front of the car has also already been leaked, again revealing the new C-Class to be a subtle design evolution of the current car.
Perhaps the most marked change is the minimal creasing down the sides of the body as Mercedes-Benz embraces a cleaner aesthetic, as already seen on the latest A-Class and S-Class models.
Under the skin, the new C-Class will feature a revised version of today’s MRA rear- and all-wheel drive platform.
We expect it to continue to be offered with traditional turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, as well as mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
Most controversially, the C53 AMG and C63 AMG models are said to be powered by four-cylinder hybrids.
The C53 could share its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with the A45 S, which pumps out 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
Although it’s down 1000cc and two cylinders on the 3.0-litre V6 in the current C43, the four-pot in the A45 S actually has 23kW more power. It’s down just 10Nm of torque.
Just as with the exterior, the cabin is expected to mimic the flagship S-Class, which features a piano black section sweeping up from the centre console to the dashboard and housing a large touchscreen infotainment setup that replaces most of the car’s physical buttons. It’ll also use the latest generation of MBUX.
Locall, the newer BMW 3 Series managed to topple the C-Class as the best-selling car in their segment last year.
BMW sold 3406 examples of its sports sedan, while Mercedes-Benz – previously the segment leader – was narrowly behind at 3378 sales.
That’s a stark contrast to just one year prior, where Mercedes-Benz sold more than twice as many C-Class sedans and wagons than BMW did of its 3 Series.
Mercedes-Benz still held its ground in the coupe and convertible market last year, with the redesigned BMW 4 Series only arriving towards the end of the year.
The three-pointed star brand sold 1225 examples of its C-Class coupe and convertible while BMW was well behind with 478 of its 4 Series coupe and convertible and 52 of its 4 Series Gran Coupe.
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