We’re getting closer to the debut of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and a YouTube channel has now given us our best look yet.
MercBenzKing got his hands on a C300 sedan that had shed most of its camouflage, and was taken for a drive by a Mercedes-Benz engineer.
The C-Class is expected to officially debut in the next few weeks.
It’ll offer the option of rear-axle steering, though Mercedes’ Air Body Control suspension option has been dropped.
Instead, Mercedes will offer a Comfort Chassis option with adaptive dampers but steel springs.
The C300 still produces 190kW of power from its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine but adds Mercedes’ EQ Boost 48V mild-hybrid system.
In addition to improving efficiency, the EQ Boost system allows Mercedes to offer an overboost function that adds 20kW of extra power for 30 seconds.
The mild-hybrid system also allows the engine to switch off and for the car to coast while you’re on the move.
Inside, the large, portrait-style touchscreen looks much like that in the S-Class and has been tilted six degrees towards the driver.
The driver can enter a passcode or use their fingerprint to unlock the display.
There’s an additional 20mm of shoulder room in the interior, despite the C-Class being only 10mm wider than the outgoing car.
The car has reportedly grown 60mm in length, too, with 25mm of that in the wheelbase.
Instead of a sharp crease slashing through the doors, there are two subtler creases down the sides: one right below the window line and one towards the bottom of the doors, resulting in much smoother, cleaner sides.
Camouflage still conceals the front and rear ends though we know what the front looks like due to a leak and we know the rear will look much like the S-Class.
The featured car was equipped with the AMG Line exterior package, featuring a rear spoiler, unique alloy wheels, and black mirror caps.
Under the skin, the new C-Class will feature a revised version of today’s MRA rear- and all-wheel drive platform.
We expect it to continue to be offered with traditional turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, as well as mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
Most controversially, the C53 AMG and C63 AMG models are said to be powered by four-cylinder hybrids.
The C53 could share its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with the A45 S, which pumps out 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
Although it’s down 1000cc and two cylinders on the 3.0-litre V6 in the current C43, the four-pot in the A45 S actually has 23kW more power. It’s down just 10Nm of torque.
A new generation of C-Class should help Mercedes-Benz reclaim the top spot in its class in terms of sales.
Last year, BMW sold 3406 examples of its 3 Series range while Mercedes-Benz fell narrowly behind with 3378 C-Class sedans and wagons.
MORE: Mercedes-Benz C-Class news, reviews, comparisons and videos
