Mercedes-Benz began the development programme of the future C-Class during winter 2011-2012. Intensively put to work on snow from the beginning, the W 205 prototypes became a familiar sight in Northern Scandinavia and spy shots never stood coming for a period. Now, the weather has warmed and spring time hit Europe, so the test vehicles are now back on German roads. A heavily disguised car has been recently spotted on the outskirts of Stuttgart, the natal city of the Three-Pointed Star brand.The new C-Class will celebrate world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2014 and goes on sale a few months later, during summer. According to latest hints from inside the factory, the mid-class premium limousine will have slightly altered dimensions to make room for the new CLA sporty executive coupe, set to arrive in November this year. The W 205 will have a more spacious and upscale interior and will launch a new, driver-oriented cabin architecture, inspired by the F 800 Style and F 125! research cars.When unveiled, the new medium high-class sedan from the Star brand will certainly be the most powerful, most efficient and most secure automobile in the segment. Mercedes-Benz experts from the R & D department will certainly implement a consistent series of specially designed measures that substantially improve comfort, efficiency and safety aboard the upcoming C-Class. First of all, this model will sit on a new platform: the Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture for added dynamics and comfort. A load of assistance systems, such as the PRE-SAFE and ATTENTION ASSIST, will likely be offered in the standard package. A new range of gasoline and diesel engines with BlueEFFICIENCY technology and ECO start/stop function will be launched together with the new W 205, whereas alternative variants (hybrid, electric) are possible beyond 2015. As for the communication and entertainment, the future C-Class will be among the first Mercedes-Benz models to adopt the revolutionary @yourCOMAND infotainment system which promises man's best partner when at the wheel of the forthcoming W 205 vehicle series._29.jpg)
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The fifth generation of the C-Class is planned to debut sometime during 2014. Dubbed W 205, the midsized premium limousine is a crucial model in the 2020 growth strategy that has been just recently adopted by Mercedes-Benz. A large volume of the series production for this vehicle will be moved at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, with the rest of the assembly facility remaining at the current location in Bremen.Development for the future C-Class began during winter 2011/2012, so the prototypes could endure their first-ever cold weather programme, a vital part in the testing of any forthcoming Mercedes-Benz. Along with the rise in temperatures, the camouflaged cars are returning to the already sunny and pleasant Germany as a test vehicle has been lately spotted near company's R&D Center in Stuttgart.
With the new C-Class, Mercedes-Benz targets to deliver the best choice on the market. Styling is essential for any automobile, so the team conducted by reputed designer Prof. Gorden Wagener will take care to deliver an outstanding visual performance. Influence in sketching the lines of the W 205 comes massively from the F 800 Style Research Vehicle (see 1,2,3) premiered in 2010 at the Geneva Motor Show, so expect to see a self-assured, powerful and organic design. The 2014 C-Class will be slightly lengthier compared to the current generation and a lot more balanced. The large front bonnet, doubled by a short overhang, are contrasting the short tail hood and the long rear overhang and thus enhance the general, aerodynamical appearance by making the car look longer than it actually is.
For the cockpit, interior designer have prepared a spectacular, yet user-friendly architecture dominated by organic surfaces such as in the F 800 Style showcar. Little details are known at this moment, but given the fact the future C-Class is set to receive a new infotainment device, the revolutionary @yourCOMAND, the driver and passenger could easily like entering Enterprise space ship when stepping inside the sedan. The bigger exterior measures should translate in head and leg room for the cabin, which will further improve the comfort. Apart from the traditional upscale materials such as leather, sheer metal or fine-essence wood trims, we also expect some very attractive colour combos and, why not, a new type of clever, SF-looking upholstery to make you feel really hi-tech while travelling with the new C-Class. The all-time Mercedes-Benz quality will feel at home in the interior of the W 205, so the premium atmosphere is fully ensured.
The powertrain for the new generation will consist of the new Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture (MRA), which shall first make its official debut on the S-Class (W 222) this autumn. This will bring a substantial improvement in the dynamic capability of the car without affecting the well-known comfortable ride of any Mercedes-Benz model. To get the C-Class going, an entire lineup of frugal engines is specifically being developed at the moment. The brand new diesel-powered and gasoline-running units will feature displacements ranging from 1.8 litres up to 3.5 litre and will display I4 and V6 (and/or I6?) cylinder arrangements. Probably, most of the diesel powerplants will boast BlueTEC technology and a potent, high-end diesel engine is also possible. For the high-end C 350 petrol version, peak output should increase a bit from the current 306 hp. The top C-Class model will be the sporty C 63 AMG that is to use a further modified version of the current 5.5-litre biturbo V8, meaning it will also get an important upgrade in performance. If one is keen to save the planet, we would to like to inform him/her that the W 205 might premiere some plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell green variants, but only after 2015.
For the safety side of things, Mercedes-Benz researchers and engineers are preparing a consistent package of clever assistance systems that will surely make the difference between life and death in the event of a threatening situation. Alongside the well-known solutions such as PRE-SAFE or Collision Prevention Assist, the new C-Class could also be equipped with an optional autonomous driving system that uses a multitude of sensors, cameras and the fourth generation DISTRONIC PLUS radar to steer the car independent from the driver's action at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Moreover, the W 205 will also direct connectivity and communication means to a new level thanks to the addition of the Car-to-X technology, which enables a better interaction with the road, environment and the other cars and thus improves the flow of data and information to your own vehicle.
Photo Credits: Motor AuthorityCopyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Surprinsingly, the first test vehicles used for developing the future generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class hit streets last week. Following the first scoop, new spy shots revealing a heavily camouflaged prototype have constantly emerged on the net since then. The last series reveal a pre-production car that underwent a "facial lifting".
Due in spring 2014 (according to internal sources), the new generation of the C-Class has a daring mission to accomplish: be ahead of every other competitor in the market segment of premium, medium-sized models. In order to do that, the Germans are determined to fight hard and build the best C-Class of all time. It was reported that the W 205 will follow the styling direction given by the impressive F 800 research car and will also be technically enriched with all the latest Mercedes-Benz innovations and technologycal advances.
The new C-Class will sit on brand new underpinnings: the revolutionary Mercedes Rearwheel Architecture, to be showcased on the forthcoming S-Class. The mid-sized limousine is expected to feature a complete engine lineup consisting of frugal petrol and diesel units, as well as alternative variants such as hybrid, electric and maybe fuel-cell. A new range of manual and automatic transmission, including the eagerly-awaited 9G-TRONIC to be premierly introduced on the 2013 S-Class, will transfer power to the rear wheels for the MRA or to all four wheels if 4MATIC traction is chosen. We guess efficiency figures might indicate values below 150 g/km - 100 g/km for CO2 emissions, while the targeted combined fuel consumption may well be lower than 6 litres/100 km. All of these will be possible with the help of the BlueEFFICIENCY package, available for all variants. On the other hand, performance figures could reach around 320-350 hp on the high-end standard versions, whereas the sensational C 63 AMG sports saloon is tipped to display a peak output of around 500 hp thanks to the addition of a twin-turbo V8 powerplant.
Inside, a whole new architecture is currently being mastered by Mercedes-Benz designers. Basic inspiration: the F 800, again. Instead of the interiors one is accustomed when talking about a model produced by the Stuttgart-based carmaker, the C-Class is rumored to boast a very dynamic and rather unprecedented dashboard, to attract new clients towards the brand. The new scheme will comprise new, quality materials and numerous attractive colour combinations and customization programmes. The new @yourCOMAND internet-based infotainment system will operate almost all the functions of the car and ensure a unique communication experience in real time. Besides that, safety will be at its highest possible level thanks to the complete set of airbags, the new generation of the PRE-SAFE crash anticipatory system, the DISTRONIC Plus, the ATTENTION ASSIST and the latest clever assistance systems developed by Mercedes-Benz engineers.
Image Credits: Auto Motor und Sport
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
Just two days after the first scoops, a set of new captures of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W 205) test mule emerged on the interwebs. Given their dimensions, it's fairly easier to make a preliminary opinion based on the exterior styling of the medium-sized limousine. Although the prototype carries some elements of the outgoing generation, it appears the front fascia, hidden under the heavy black cladding, is pretty much the new one, as well as the tailgate area at the rear. The headlights display a teardrop shape and look similar to those seen of the F 800 concept; in addition, the radiator grille might adopt a more upright, solid design, to comply with the new EU safety regulations. The back end details are less visible to the naked eye, but some '4-door coupe' influence from the F 800 can somehow be depicted. We guess the final car could be quite close to this rendition created by Christian Schulte.
Check out more spy photos after the jump!
Image Credits: Motor Authority
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
These images come as a nice and unexpected surprise: Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Department have already started work on the future generation of the C-Class (W 205).
The vehicle you see in the spy pics is in fact a test mule for the new medium class model - even though the exterior body comprises parts of the current W 204 C-Class and some design cues of the next generation carefully hidden under camouflage, the underpinnings together with all the secret innovations installed underneath the bodyshell are certainly fully belonging to the W 205. As it's still early for the 2014 C-Class, details are scarce: we do know the new generation will mark a design revolution, heavily influenced by the F 800 Style showcar. General dimensions will go up a bit, to improve passenger comfort, versatility, luggage space and make room in the portfolio for the announced sub-C-Class models. Furthermore, technical novelties could include a new series of powerful and frugal engines, as well as a new rear-wheel-drive platform with better dynamic capabilities and more high-end communication and safety technologies, that are to be partly borrowed from the upcoming S-Class (W 222), expected for late 2012. We are guessing the whole development phase for the W 205 C-Class will take more than two years, so the new generation might be ready for launch in mid 2014.
Image Credits: Autowereld
Copyright © 2012, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
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