These are the best pictures yet of Mercedes’ facelifted C-class saloon caught testing.
The disguise in these spy shots is lighter than ever before, hiding a range of subtle visual upgrades at the front inspired by the latest E-class range, including new headlamps, a more contoured bonnet and a reprofiled front bumper.
See the spy pics of the facelifted Mercedes C-class saloon in testing
The changes at the rear are even more minor, with only small alterations to the bumper and lights. This mid-life refresh appears set to keep the C-class away from the E-class’s more controversial styling cues, including its crease around the rear wheel arch, which remains absent from the smaller saloon.
The new model will get reworked versions of the current car’s four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and an optional seven-speed automatic gearbox in place of the existing five-speed unit.
Read more on the new Mercedes C-class coupe
The 3.5-litre petrol V6 powerplant in the C350 CGI will make way for a newer unit of the same capacity from Mercedes’ MoVe generation of engines, meanwhile.
The revised C-class saloon and estate models will be launched at the Detroit motor show in January, alongside a newcomer to the C-class range, the C-class coupé.
This is a replacement for both the CLC and CLK and will also form the basis of a BMW M3-rivalling C63 AMG model, as well as potentially a hardcore Black Series variant.
