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

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 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.

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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.

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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.

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Nick Jaynes
Nick Jaynes
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