SPY SHOTS: 2008 Mercedes C-Class
The current Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the "entry-level" model in the German carmaker's US line-up, was conceived as a baby E-Class. But who wants to buy a luxury import that's main selling point is that it's less than the bigger one? That's why insiders are predicting that the next C-Class, expected to launch for 2008 at the 2007 Geneva show, will carve out its own niche as a compact sports sedan, rather than a junior E-Class.
Unfortunately, sources are citing budget constraints at DaimlerChrysler as an indicator that the new C won't feature either an air suspension or even active body control, the latter which already puts the car at a disadvantage over a year before it even hits the market.
Globally, the C-Class line-up will include a wide array of engines, starting with a direct-injection 1.8-liter four with output from 150 to 190 horsepower (which, based on the current US line-up, won't be offered stateside). Above those will be the V6s in either 2.5-liter capacity with 210 hp or 3.5 liters and 270 hp. But the sweetest plumb will be the AMG version with a revised 5.4-liter V8 and output bumped up past 400 horsepower.
Body-styles will include a sedan, a coupe and a wagon, in either rear-wheel-drive or 4MATIC all-wheel-drive.
As a volume model, Mercedes needs the new C-Class to succeed, and by distancing it from the E-Class, it might have a winning formula if the package comes together well. Stay tuned....
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim 3:33PM (10/29/2006)
Hummmm, looks a lot like a Chevy Cobalt. Perhaps in a version with a rear trunk it will look better.
James
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Gardiner Westbound 3:39PM (10/29/2006)
I believe the C-Class attracts people looking for Mercedes engineering, quality and longevity at an affordable price. I'm not sure Mercedes delivers these qualities, but moving it even further away from the higher level models could be a mistake.
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Jason 5:13PM (10/29/2006)
Uninspiring! Why does it have a truck front end? Where is the style and elegance?
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SammyG 6:30PM (10/29/2006)
I just picked up AutoCar and they had their own renderings of the new C-Class and its waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than this one... Too much cobalt and not enough current mercedes.. They said its more composed than a 3-series... I'll belive that when I see it/feel it, but it would be nice for mercedes to get really in the sports sedan game.
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A K 7:46PM (10/29/2006)
Wow # 1 and # 3 have already said the things I wanted to say . Does look like the cobalt indeed !
AK
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Joe 8:15PM (10/29/2006)
The front headlights are almost EXACTLY the same shape as the Cobalt. Do a Google image search for "cobalt," and the first result should be a pretty good comparison. As for the rest of the shape, it's got the generic lines of your basic Bangle-esque German luxury car (the crisp lines and creases), but the back on that hatchback model is very, very peculiar. It's unique, and I appreciate that. However, I feel that this is not a market that a shape like that will do well in.
I see this being even less successful than the previous C-Class hatchback. The wagon looks good, though, if uninspiring. That said, I DO feel that this model will be successful in Europe. The quirky shape of the hatchback, and the wagon variant, both make it very Euro-centric.
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Jason 8:48PM (10/29/2006)
Something is wrong with this photo. It is stetched up and down, making the car look tall and short. Look at the shape of the wheels to see what I am saying. Maybe if the shot was better, the headlights would look less Cobalt (dead ringers) and the front less truckish.
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N Z K 9:26PM (10/29/2006)
I think it could work, but it seems a bit daring for Mercedes in this respect: Prior to this, the thought was that the C-Class would attract people who wanted an E, but didn't have the money. They may actually ~lose~ customers over this: the market is chock-a-block with sports sedans these days, and people who want something sporting and German will look to BMW; those who want a little more comfort in the mix will took to Audi. Mercedes seems to be creeping into Audi territory here. Advantage Audi: they seem to be doing much better with style these days than DCX is.
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Keith 11:19PM (10/29/2006)
So no C63 AMG!?
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Jim 2:12AM (10/30/2006)
This is a horrible rendering.
People determined to destroy Mercedes-Benz's reputation.
This car is somewhere between a Hotwheels toy, and a Scion tC.
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BOB 2:44AM (10/30/2006)
Nice front end -- as for the rest, it looks like the embarassing model they sold here a few years ago, the "Mercedes-ette", for losers who had to be seen in Mercedes and were deluded into thinking that people saw the cheesey coupe as one.
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G. Snyder 10:45AM (10/30/2006)
These are not spy shots. Use your brains. These are artist renderings.
Every time I click on this site the writing is worse and worse.
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Shotter 4:13PM (10/30/2006)
"Something is wrong with this photo. It is stetched up and down, making the car look tall and short. Look at the shape of the wheels to see what I am saying. Maybe if the shot was better, the headlights would look less Cobalt (dead ringers) and the front less truckish."
I thought exactly the same thing. I stretched it 33% horizontally in GIMP, now it looks more like a Mercedes. Check it out.
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/918/carphoto2096385pb4.jpg
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