The new Mercedes-Benz C-class has been shown in its final production form for the first time, after a set of pictures were leaked online.

Planned to have its first public airing in traditional four-door saloon guise at the Detroit motor show next January, the new, fifth-generation C-class represents a big departure from the existing model.

Key among the changes is the adoption of a new rear-wheel drive platform, elements of which are shared with the E-class and S-class. The W205 C-class range will see the addition of a liftback model, officials from the German car maker have revealed. The new five- door has been conceived in response to the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 3-series GT, although on current planning it isn’t expected to join the line-up until 2015. Insiders hint it will resurrect the Sportcoupé nameplate. But unlike the earlier three-door Sportcoupé based on the third-generation C-class, the new one will receive a five-door layout similar to the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 3-series GT. Continued...

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