Mercedes C-class facelift unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has premiered its facelifted version of the C-class at the Geneva motor show. Featuring a series of detailed changes aimed at carrying the current C-class over until a replacement arrives in 2013, the new saloon has received more than 2000 individual updates.

The new C-class is visually distinguished from its predecessor by a series of subtle styling changes, including reprofiled bumpers – the front one carrying a more integrated grille, curvy new headlamps, a reworked aluminium bonnet, revised tail-lamps with LED graphics and a new selection of alloy wheels.

The styling changes combine with optimisation of the aerodynamics, with new sealing at the front end and alterations to the cladding used underneath the engine bay helping to boost the new car’s drag coefficient to 0.26 in narrow-tyre base trim.

On the inside, there’s a new, angular instrument binnacle mirroring that used in the larger E-class, a newly designed steering wheel, updated switchgear and higher-quality trim materials. Mercedes has also provided the C-class with the latest generation of its Comand navigation and entertainment system to bring it into line with other recent new models in its line-up.

Along with the changes to the exterior and interior, Mercedes has optimised the C-class’s fuel consumption through the adoption of automatic stop-start (for the European model) across the range. The latest iteration of Mercedes' seven-speed automatic gearbox has also been brought across to replace the old five-speed unit as optional equipment in four-cylinder models, bringing further fuel savings.

Further development has been focused on the C-class’s safety credentials. It now offers buyers the same array of optional systems that are available on the E-class, including Mercedes' sleep-detecting Attention Assist, radar-controlled Distronic Plus cruise control and automatic Pre-Safe brakes that begin to pull the car to a stop when an imminent collision is detected.

Expect the facelifted C-class to be launched in India sometime later this year with a marginal price hike.