We’ve got our hands on new spy photos of a next-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class mule, which depict what the C-Class’ interior may potentially look like and give clues as to what’s coming up for the German brand.

You can see from the picture above that Mercedes-Benz is likely to expand the size of the current COMAND system’s screen, with this iPad-style interface which is likely to have the same level of iPhone connectivity (compatible with Siri) as the upcoming A-Class.

The round SLS-lookalike air outlets follow Mercedes’ latest design language. A bigger panoramic roof is also evident, suggesting that it may potentially be offered with the Magic Sky Control option.

We expect Mercedes-Benz will unveil the new C-Class (or a concept of it) late next year with the first cars landing in showrooms by 2014. As is the case generally with C-Class launches, it’s likely to come as a sedan body style first, followed by a wagon, then the coupe and potentially a convertible.

Rumours suggest the next-generation C-Class will not only be offered with various petrol and diesel engines but with a choice of a hybrid powertrain for the first time in the model’s history. Furthermore, we suspect the seven-speed automatic in the current model will be replaced by a nine-speed, bettering BMW’s eight-speed automatic in the new 3-Series.