Updated Mercedes C-Class Coming This October

Update: Mercedes-Benz India has begun testing the C-Class facelift in India, before its eventual launch in October 2018. The lightly camouflaged test car was spied in Pune.

Mercedes’s current generation C-Class has been  on sale since late 2014. Now, Mercedes' rival to the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series is slated to get a mid-life update. The refreshed C-Class will go on sale in India in October 2018. While the spec sheet for India is yet to be confirmed, here are the key changes that you can look forward to - 

Cosmetic updates

• Cosmetic changes include light tweaks to the bumpers and tail lamps. There is also fine tuning of trims to distinguish between variants. 
• In international markets, it is available with two new metallic colours - Mojave Silver and Emerald Green. 
• AMG models get the diamond radiator grille as standard now. The air dam and the rear diffuser have also been redesigned. 
• New headlamp options. While halogen lamps with LED DRLs are offered as standard, some countries get LED headlamps as standard. The exact specifications for our country has not been confirmed yet.
• These headlamps can also be equipped with the intelligent MULTIBEAM 84 LED units that, amongst other things, prevent blinding oncoming traffic. The ULTRA RANGE option increases visibility for high speed usage up to 600m.

Interiors

• New infotainment options including an optional 10.25-inch screen and even a 12.3-inch full digital display for the instrument cluster with three layouts to choose from.
• There are new trims for the centre console, like the open pore brown walnut and anthracite oak.
• The steering wheel now features touch sensetive controls similar to the ones on the E-Class LWB

Engines

• New C 220 d uses the 1951cc diesel engine that already does duty on the E-Class. With 194PS on offer, this engine is more powerful than outgoing C 220 d by 24PS. It is smaller and lighter than before, and Mercedes claims it’s more fuel efficient too. Oh, it’s also said to be half a second faster to 100kmph. Not to forget, it is BSVI-compliant as well. 
• The C 250 d will be replaced by a new, more powerful variant - the C 300 d
• Petrol power will still come badged as the C 200. However, it is now powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that also gets EQ Boost. This mild hybrid system provides a 14PS boost over the petrol engine’s 184PS to improve drivability
• The AMG C43’s 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine also offers a power boost of 23PS and has 390PS on tap now. 
• All engines will be offered with 9GTronic gearboxes. However, the AMG gets a specially tweaked unit called the AMG Speedshift TCT 9.

Safety

• Tech from the S-Class makes its way into the C. With active steering assist and active distance control, the C is also capable of driving semi-autonomously. 

To go along with the revamped C-Class lineup, Mercedes may also bring the C43 Cabriolet or Coupe to India. A C300 d variant is on the cards as well but details of the variant are not available yet. We will be driving the updated C-Class soon. So check back for the review.