Hybrid Mercedes-Benz C-Class arriving in August

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed details for its local C-Class update that’s due to arrive here in August.

While exact pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, the updated range will bring a light refresh to the exterior and interior, changes underneath the bonnet and new technology including an all-new 48 volt electric hybrid drivetrain.

All C-Class models will continue to be available in a variety of sedan, wagon, convertible and coupe body styles.

The mid-life facelift adds LED headlights as standard across the range and minor revisions to the front bumper on all models. Optional multibeam headlights with up to 500m range will also be available as an optional extra and standard on the AMG C43.

Other cosmetic changes include new alloy wheel designs, a light nip and tuck at the rear and diamond-pattern grille for AMG Line grades - Avantgarde will remain the standard styling pack for Australian models.

Inside are new open pore wood panels, available in either brown walnut or oak trim as well as new magma grey and saddle brown upholstery finishes.

Standard across the range for all Australian models is a new 12.3-inch fully digital instrument display with customisable screens for various sport and economy driving modes. Supplementing updates for the driver are the latest Touch Pro steering wheel with touch sensitive input command and a colour heads-up display that is likely to be optional on most variants.

Infotainment is based on a centre-mounted 10.25-inch high-resolution screen with Apple CarPlay connectivity and a new mid-range 225 watt nine-speaker sound system that sits between the base and top-end Burmester stereos.

Completing updates to technology are safety systems filtered down from E- and S-Class siblings that add active steering and active lane change assist. The new steering system adjusts speed ahead of corners and junctions for improved lane keeping ability while lane change assist will automatically change lanes on dual lane roads when the indicator stalk is engaged.

The latest MBUX technology seen in the new A-Class is not available on the C-Class platform until the next generation, but it does introduce three-way adaptive suspension and brings a raft of either new or modified engines across the range.

The entry-model C200 replaces the previous 2.0-litre engine with a smaller capacity 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol that’s supplemented by a mild 48-volt hybrid electric system Mercedes dubs EQ Boost.

Output for the model drops by 20Nm to produce a total of 135kW and 280Nm and acceleration is marginally slower, reaching 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds. By itself, the electric system produces a mild 10kW and 170Nm that’s only effective low in the rev range, supplementing the petrol motor until the turbocharger reaches full boost.

The new 48 volt system also features an electrically driven water pump and belt driven starter motor that’s quicker and quieter to kick the engine over, including during coasting when the engine switches off or when recuperating energy by braking. The new motor is equipped to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The C200 will likely drift above its current $61,900 plus on-roads starting price due to the new engine and technology inside.  

The entry-level diesel C220d also brings a new 1.6-litre turbo diesel motor that has been optimised for improved efficiency but produces a more powerful output at 143kW and 400Nm.

Both C200 and C220 d will come standard with the new 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment system, 64 colour ambient interior lighting system and Touch Pro steering wheel when they land here.

Further up the tree, the C300 gets a revised 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing an extra 10kW to develop 190kW/370Nm through a nine-speed automatic.

The Mercedes-AMG C43 is the final model to get a power upgrade of 17kW to produce 287kW and 520Nm from its 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine though its claimed 0-100km/h sprint remains the same at 4.7 seconds for the sedan and 4.8sec in the wagon. It powers all four-wheels through a revised nine-speed auto that shifts quicker than before.

The C43 will come as standard with the full driver assistance package which includes the new active steer and lane changing assist as well as multibeam headlights. Aero AMG alloy wheels and a black exterior trim Night Package will also be available.

Mercedes is yet to detail its updated flagship C63 AMG that will arrive later in December.