The new Mercedes C-class salon made its motor show debut at Geneva today – twice.
That’s because the new C-class comes in two distinct styles. There’s classic Merc saloon styling, with a chromed grille and three-pointed star atop the bonnet, or the more racy sport styling. This gets you a chunkier grille with big star in the middle, and none atop the bonnet – just like a traditional Merc coupe.
“Mercedes’ attempts to create two distinct bodystyles really work. They barely look like the same car,” said Autocar’s Jon Quirk. “The sports version wears deeper sills and bumpers, full glass roof, split-spoke alloys and twin pipes to turn a slick design into an aggressive, DTM-style competitor.”
The new C-class will have to do more than just look good if it’s to take the fight to the ubiquitous BMW 3-series in company car parks across the UK.
Expect an upgraded engine range and classier cabins to help. The diesels will include a 136bhp or 170bhp 2.2-litre four, plus a 224bhp 3.2-litre V6.
Petrol power is anything from 156bhp in the C180K to 272bhp in the 3.5-litre V6 C320. There’s also likely to be an as-yet-unconfirmed C63 AMG, running a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8.
The C-class saloon goes on sale in the UK this summer, with prices expected to start at £23,175.
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