Skip to main content

Bigger, lighter, and younger: Details of the 2015 Mercedes C-Class begin to emerge

 Mercedes C-Class

Some actual details of the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class are trickling in, according to Autocar. In a story published this morning, the website revealed intimate details regarding the 2015 C-Class, which is said to take its bow at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show.

Autocar’s secret sources say that Mercedes is keen on ridding the C-Class of all of the old man smell. Like we’ve said in the past, this new version is all about attracting younger buyers. This will not be grandpa’s C-Class. Allegedly, there will be no carryovers from the current model, breathing new life into the brand.

First off, it appears the body is longer and wider, with an extended wheelbase. Although it’s dimensions have increased, thanks to new steel technology and an all-new rear suspension setup, the new version will be significantly lighter. What exactly is this new rear suspension? It’s called Modular Rear-wheel-drive Architecture or MRA. It will also be featured on the new E- and S-Class models as well. Up front, Mercedes has done away with the MacPhearson struts and opted for the tighter-handling double wishbone system.

Mercedes C-Class
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As we had reported earlier, there will be an entry-level CLA with a transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive. Putting this new offering at the bottom of the Mercedes U.S. lineup allows the German automaker to skew the new C-Class a bit higher, meaning a higher asking price.

Unlike the little CLA, the C-Class will have longitudinally mounted engines and offer rear or all-wheel drive. Common engine options are said to be inline four-cylinders and V6 ranging from a 186-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter to a 330-horsepower twin turbocharged V6. We expect diesel variants to make their way stateside as well, but what those will entail is still unknown. Excitingly, there is rumor of a plug-in hybrid version for 2015.

Mercedes will include stop/start technology for increased fuel economy and also a brake energy recuperating system, much like that in Formula One racecars, which is known as Kinetic Energy Recovery System or KERS.

Upon first impression, we absolutely love the new look and features of the upcoming C-Class, and we’re expecting it to be a strong competitor against the new 3 Series and the A4. We wouldn’t be surprised, however, if Audi has an entirely new A4 by then as well.

In truth, things are beginning to look pretty heated across the entry-level luxury segment between the German brands, and we couldn’t be more excited.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Alpine sale: Up to $160 off speakers and subs for your car
alpine speaker sale crutchfield march 2024 car and amp setup on table

If you’re looking to kit your car out with some superior speakers or a subwoofer, Crutchfield is the place to go today. Right now, there’s a huge sale on Alpine subwoofers and speakers with nearly 50 different items forming the sale. As there are so many options, the best idea is to hit the button below to see what’s around. If you don’t know where to start though, read on while we take you through some great items in the sale.

What to shop for in the Alpine sale
Buying the best aftermarket car speakers are important for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road and is currently dealing with a mediocre sound system. One good starting point in the Alpine sale is the 2-way speakers for $104 instead of $130. You get two 2-way speakers with a polypropylene/glass fiber/mica woofer with a specialized rubber surround. There’s a one-inch silk dome tweeter with speakers able to handle up to 80 watts RMS with 240 watts peak power. The grilles aren’t included but the factor ones should be fine for most purposes.

Read more
Mercedes to trial humanoid robots for ‘low-skill, repetitive, demanding’ jobs
Apptronik's Apollo robot at work in an auto plant.

Humanoid robots have been coming on leaps and bounds in recent years, and some major companies are starting to take note.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, has just entered into an agreement with Texas-based robotics specialist Apptronik to collaborate on identifying applications for highly advanced robots that the auto giant could deploy. The deal will involve a trial that will see Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot work alongside Mercedes' human workers on the factory floor.

Read more
Hyundai Ioniq 9: price, release date, range, and more
Hyundai Ioniq 9 Front

Hyundai has been at the forefront of EV development for a while now, largely thanks to the success of the crossover-sized Hyundai Ioniq 5. But the company is readying another new EV that could be even more popular than the Ioniq 5 -- or at least more desirable in the U.S., the land of big cars.

The upcoming Ioniq 9, previously set to be called the Ioniq 7, will be Hyundai's take on an electric SUV. It will be to Hyundai what the Kia EV9 is to Kia. It will have three rows and carry over design elements from the Ioniq 5.

Read more