New Mercedes C-Class will debut next year, AMG variants go hybrid

The new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be officially exhibited at the Paris Motor Show in 2020, according to sources close to the company. The Germans are preparing plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG variants and even a fully electric version.

At the beginning of last year, Mercedes-Benz presented the C-Class C facelift (photo). The aesthetic and technological changes were minor and aimed at the slight refresh of one of the hard-growth models that have put Mercedes-Benz in the first position in the premium sales ranking in recent years.

In order to remain in the race for the supremacy of sales in the premium segment, the Stuttgart builder is already preparing the next generation of C-Class. In the last months several prototypes have been caught during the test sessions on public roads.

On the aesthetic level, the future C-Class will rely on a series of consistent improvements. However, fans of the middle-class model should not expect a design revolution. For the interior, the Germans will come with an updated version of the MBUX system, while the dashboard will be inspired by the one currently offered on the A-Class.

The new C-Class will continue to be marketed in sedan, T-Modell, coupe and cabrio versions. As for the engines, the Germans will continue to offer both diesel engines and petrol engines. However, Mercedes-Benz will introduce several mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions developed by the Mercedes-AMG sports division.

According to Tobias Moers, head of Mercedes-AMG, it is part of the future strategy to electrify the models piece by piece. Plug-in hybrids would also play a major role here. The first step is to make the C 63 hybrid. The top version of the AMG range will continue to rely on the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. However, there is information that suggests an increase in power both for the base version and for the variant S is definitely on the cards. Currently the Mercedes-AMG C 63 is developing 476 hp, while AMG C 63 S offers 510 hp. The two performance versions will be equipped with an automatic transmission with nine gears. Alternatively, a six-cylinder would be conceivable.

And the interesting news don’t stop here. So far, the small turbocharged engines with four cylinders were reserved exclusively for the compact models from AMG. That could change with the next generation of the C-Class. Moers reveals that the current M 139 engine from A 45 and CLA 45 is not only designed for transverse installation, but can also be installed longitudinally. With a top performance of 421 hp in the S configuration, the unit would have enough power to banish the current six-cylinder (390 hp) from the C 43. Thus Mercedes-AMG technology would be transferred from smaller models in a larger series. Usually this happens the other way round. The future mid-range Mercedes-AMG C-Class should be called the C 45.

The German uber-limo will come with an all-wheel drive system that will also receive a special component called “Drift Mode”. Thus, the power of the engine can be distributed only to the rear wheels. So far only the C 43 is offered with 4Matic, but if you get a C 63 in 2021, you can still drive on the race tracks.