New Mercedes C-Class India launch on Nov 25, 2014

Mercedes-Benz has officially confirmed that the new C-Class sedan will be launched in India on November 25, this year.

The new C-Class, Mercedes’ global best-seller was officially unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit motor show. Underpinning the C-class is the new lightweight modular rear-drive MRA (Mercedes Rear-drive Architecture) platform that will be fitted in all the core rear-drive models from the C-class and above, including sedans and SUVs.

The new C-class is 4686mm long, 1810mm wide and 1442mm high, the length and width growing by 95mm and 40mm respectively over the current car, and the height reducing by 5mm. The wheelbase is up by 80mm to 2840mm.

The increase in size is due to the recent arrival of the CLA in Mercedes’s global line-up, a model that closely matches the outgoing C-class in length. The fifth-generation C-class has been made longer and wider to distance itself from the Mercedes-Benz CLA four-door coupé that will be launched in India soon.

Visually, the new C-class shows a clear family resemblance to the latest S-class and recently revised E-class, as well as the smaller A-class family. Following Mercedes’ ‘sensual purity’ design theme, the fundamental classic rear-drive sedan proportions, including a long bonnet and set-back cabin remain. However, the Mercedes design team, headed by Gorden Wagener, has reduced the overhangs, raised the beltline, narrowed the glasshouse and added sculpted, flowing lines and surfaces that taper back to give a more classic profile inspired by the Streamliner models from the 1920s and 1930s.

The new C-Class gets more luxurious interiors that resemble the flagship S-Class sedan. In the rear, the longer wheelbase means back-seat passengers get 25mm more legroom, while the increase in overall width further boosts space. Boot capacity is up by five litres over the outgoing C-class, to 480 litres. 

A whole host of technologies derived from the S-class is also being offered on the C-class. These include a level of autonomous driving at low speeds and in traffic jams, along with drowsiness detection, steering assistance, lane assistance and numerous parking assistance systems.

Initially, the new Mercedes C-Class sedan will be available in India with petrol engines only, while diesel-powered models will follow later. 

Read our new Mercedes C-Class review