The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which was sighted being tested with only slight disguising of its shape. An official unveiling of the new car has been pencilled in for the Geneva motor show in 2007, with sales starting soon after the show.
The estate version of the new version will arrive six months later in the autumn. As expected, a new C-Class sports coupé, based on the same platform, will follow after that.
Although the new C-Class will share more of its components than before with the larger E-Class, the next C-Class will be much sharper to drive and more distinctive as a range in its own right: Mercedes-Benz is to position it as a true small sports saloon, rather than simply a smaller answer to the E.
Air suspension, or active body control, has been ruled out due to cost restraints. Base engine will be a direct injection 4-cylinder 1.8-litre with varying horsepower from 150 to 190. Horsepower for the 2.5- and 3.5-litre V6 will be 210 to 270 respectively.
An AMG version with a 5.4-litre will be revised with new horsepower rating up from today's 360 to 400-410bhp to compete with the Audi RS4 and future BMW M3. A 3-litre diesel is also planned, as well as the new iDrive-like operating concept found in the new S-Class. There are new-look buttons for the central console as well.