Engine: Twin-Turbo 3.0L V6
Power: 329 HP / 354 LB-FT
Transmission: 7-Speed Auto
Top Speed: 155 MPH (limited)
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Seating: 2+3
Cargo: 17.0 CU-FT

Buyers who don't want to lay out for COMAND Online with its larger screen and polished navigation can stick with the standard system, then purchase a Garmin SD card that fits into a slot in the center armrest and enables in-car navigation

After three days and more than 300 miles on a wide variety of roads in all kinds of traffic, we would prefer the bigger engine that'll be on U.S. models, and we would check out the steel suspension before paying a bundle extra for Airmatic. Although the C250 doesn't exactly set the pavement on fire, it is notably more sophisticated than the aging Audi A4 and feels more special than the BMW 3-series. The new C-class is roomy, quiet, and well mannered. All in all, we definitely prefer the new C to the face-lifted E-class, and we would be reluctant to spend twice the money for an S-class. The genetically different front-wheel-drive CLA does not even enter this discussion.

There is no doubt about it: the new C-class is a proper Mercedes-Benz that condenses every core brand value in a more compact, youthful wrapper. This may result in a certain amount of cannibalization, but it is also bound to guarantee significant conquest sales.

There's Still More To C A timeline for the new C-class family's roll-out:

C300 4Matic, C400 4Matic: C-class launch models for North America, late 2014
C300: Early 2015
C63 AMG: Early 2015
C-class diesel: 2015
C-class plug-in hybrid: 2015
C-class coupe: 2016
C-class convertible: 2017

S-Class essence distilled into a fun-size decanter.

So, does the new C-class succeed in toppling its 3-series nemesis from its perch atop the small-sedan hierarchy? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. While Mercedes was hard at work creating the new C-class, the world changed. The 3-series mutated and spread across the segment in an effort to appeal to a broader spectrum of buyers, and new competitors such as the excellent-to-drive Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS 350 F Sport joined the fray. But for a maker with a proven track record of knowing its audience and unafraid to walk its own well-established path to please them, the new C-class should be right on target.

A New Leader For A Class Long Defined By BMWs

When I first drove the new S-Class, my takeaway was that the full-size techno-limo doesn’t steer all that well compared to say a Jaguar XJ, but does everything else in an exquisite manner. Truly, one of the finest automobiles the world has ever seen. With the 2015 C-Class, Mercedes has decided to build a baby S-Class rather than a 3 Series -- or should I say Cadillac ATS -- competitor. The truth is that there are scores more luxury buyers than there are sports sedan enthusiasts. Ask BMW why the damping rates are so different between the 3 Series sedan and 4 Series coupe. As such, and I hope I’m not breaking any hearts here, but the W205 isn’t a born canyon carver. Riding on a 3-inch longer wheelbase (a tad longer than a W124 E-Class – nearly 112 inches), the new C-Class is designed to deliver, first and foremost, a luxurydriving experience. The C250/C300 delivers on that promise in spades. The ride on the air suspension (a segment first) is sweet, especially on open stretches of highway or mildly broken pavement. I should also point out that the brakes have the typical Mercedes feel with engagement right at the top of the firm pedal. Start turning the steering wheel in anger and you realize the rear-suspension travel isn’t quite long enough and the rear bushings are a bit too squishy. My driving partner commented that the C250 rode just like his Mercedes-Benz 190E – no bad thing at all. How many entry-level C-Class owners will spend time trying to kick the tail out? I’ll just let you ponder that one.

The more powerful and heavier C400 is a different story. First of all, the C400 comes standard with all-wheel drive. Couple that to the heavier V-6 powerplant and it’s obvious that the C400’s weight balance is much more nose-heavy than the C250/C300. The handling wasn’t as crisp. The ride was both more wallowing and clunkier than the C250, and the shifts were more sluggish. Still, with four adult, American males inside, everyone was comfortable and you had to stop and look for peccadillos. Despite what some Mercedes engineers later told us, I’m not convinced the particular C400 I drove was a finished product. The transmission could use a remap and the suspension could use a retune, and a few of the early-build gremlins need to be ironed out -- a trunk that doesn’t always close, errant rear seatbelt warnings and air conditioning that refused to blow cold. But don’t make mountains out of molehills. The 2015 C-Class doesn’t go on sale until September and that gives Mercedes plenty of time to make them correctly.

Glance at the new C-Class and you’ll mistake it for a S-Class, the design is that similar. Spend some time with Mercedes’ volume model however, and you become aware that looks are more than skin deep. I’m happy to report that for the first time, the C-Class feels cut from the same cloth as the E- and S-Class cars. It doesn’t feel like any corners were cut nor were any compromises made. The 2015 C-Class has the right stuff in the right places. Class, meet your new leader.

With a new lightweight body and a strong V6 under the hood, the new C-Class feels athletic despite its larger size.

Leaves Nothing Untouched
Like the rest of the car, the features available inside the C-Class are all at the forefront of technology. Mercedes' latest multimedia system debuts on this car with a larger screen and an even crisper display. There's an optional Burmester audio system and connected user interface that offers up to 20 different apps.

With so much at your disposal, the C-Class doesn't leave you wanting for much. Its spaciousness up front is nearly matched by the accommodations in back. There's top-level trim no matter where you're seated, and the burly V6 assures there's plenty of power to get things moving quickly even if there are four adults on board.

It left us wondering who will bother to upgrade to the midsize E-Class. It's only marginally larger, and the C-Class now handily trumps the larger Benz in terms of the look and feel of the cabin. And what of the direct competitors from Audi, BMW and Cadillac? They should be on notice as well, because this Benz is a huge step forward in the history of the C-Class, one that might finally put it in a position to dominate the class.

How much class could a C-class have if a C-class could have class?

What's It Like To Drive?

We got to pilot two new C-class versions, both Euro-spec: the C250 BlueTec diesel and a C400 4Matic. The car takes a little getting used to. Both of our testers had Mercedes' Airmatic suspension, the agility select on which could be set to eco, comfort, sport, sport+ and individual. The settings adjust response to transmission, throttle, engine braking and the amount of slip allowed by the stability control system.

We tried the first four and felt that even in sport+ there was just a little more lean than we'd have expected. In the lower settings there was more than that. It was not what you'd call a sporty ride at all, and there was a little less chassis control than we'd have preferred. More time with the car would have allowed us to program our own unique settings that might have been more to our liking via the individual option.

The variable-ratio electromechanical direct steer system lunged a little more as it got further from on-center, too. Even the brakes felt more touchy than we'd have liked at the top of brake pedal travel. More time might give us a second opinion, though, so don't be immediately put off on your test drive around the dealer's lot if you're looking for a more responsive experience.

The thing is, Mercedes has to sell this all over the world, and markets in China might want a little more comfort and luxury over sportiness. Mercedes lists key competitors as the BMW 3-series, Audi A4, Lexus IS and Cadillac CTS and all of those are more fun to drive than our European C-class testers.

Do I Want It?

The arrival of the CLA as the entr- level Benz in America means the C-class is going to go upscale more than just a little. This one has done just that, with more room and more features than ever before. As far as character on the road, Mercedes sedans have always leaned more toward luxury than performance anyway, and that tradition continues with this new C.

If you're looking for something that's strictly fun to drive, look at the rest of the competition. If you're looking for safety, convenience and luxury, drive a C-class.

Keep in mind this is just a first impression and a first drive of two Euro-spec models. Further details, including pricing, packaging and, hopefully, more drive time will be coming before the car's September U.S. launch. Heck, we might even have U.S. specifications for you by then.

If there were any doubts lingering about Mercedes-Benz's intentions to offer an Estate (T-Model and Wagon are two other monikers used by Stuttgart) version of the new C63 AMG, these fresh spy shots are here to place them at rest. Whether it will be sold outside of Europe and specifically in North America, however, is another story…

Despite the heavy body cladding, there's no way you can miss the huge brakes and calipers peeking through the alloy wheels, as well as the quad exhaust pipes resting on the rear bumper.

In production guise, the C63 AMG Estate will also have flared wheel arches, a more extensive aerodynamic package together with a different hood and grille from the regular C-Class station wagons of the W205 series, expected later this year.

Besides getting more room and practicality for luggage at the back over the upcoming C63 AMG sedan, the two body styles will share their sports-trimmed interiors and performance upgrades, including a new 4.0-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine with a minimum of 450-horses in base form, and if Mercedes does add a Black Edition, in excess of 500hp.

The C63 AMG Wagon will likely be offered exclusively with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.

Powered by twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine

A less disguised prototype of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan has been spied undergoing testing alongside the outgoing model.

Earlier this week we brought you the first spy pics with the next-gen C63 AMG Estate and now we take a closer look at the Sedan variant which is wearing considerably less camouflage than before. It allows us to see the small spoiler lip on the trunk along with a tastefully restrained body kit and a quad exhaust setup. The vehicle was spotted testing together with the outgoing version enabling us to notice the major design differences between the two.

At its heart will be a newly developed V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine which should develop somewhere in the region of 450 HP (331 kW) in standard guise and beyond 500 HP (368 kW) for a rumored hotter version, possibly the Black Series derivative.

Based on last month's report, Mercedes-Benz plans on offering AMG versions not only of the sedan and estate but also of the coupe and cabriolet.

The consumption figures relate to the engines (C 180/C 200 and
C 220 BlueTEC) available for the market launch (03/2014).
Fuel consumption combined: 5.8-4.0 l/100 km;
combined CO2 emissions: 135-103g/km.*
The new C-Class makes everyday a highlight.

Product may vary after press date on 12.03.2014.