After capturing photos of the cabin of the next S-Class W222, our spy shooters have managed to nab the first interior shots of another upcoming Mercedes-Benz model, the 2014 C-Class.
The first thing you will probably notice on the dashboard is the tablet like fixture hovering on top of the newly styled circular air vents. Unless Mercedes-Benz has a surprise in store for us, we suspect that the high-resolution display will be fixed on the dash, as is the case with the new A- and B-Class models.
The menus on the screen will be operated using the controller in the center console, right behind the manual or automatic gear shifter. A secondary TFT color display is built into the dashboard between the instrument cluster gauges.
The test car seen here was fitted with a large panoramic roof, which some reports say may be offered with the Magic-Sky Control option, which utilizes electro chromatic glass technology to turn the windowpane from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
Moving to the exterior, the heavily cladded prototype hides most of the styling details, but it is evident that the next C-Class will have more curves, influenced by the F800 Style Concept.
The C-Class will ride on a new and slightly longer and wider platform. Despite the increase in dimensions, the use of lighter materials on the body shell and the chassis will help the compact premium model shed some pounds.
In standard trim, the C-Class will have rear wheel drive, with AWD being offered as an option on select models.
There will be a comprehensive range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, all turbocharged, along with six cylinder gasoline units and a choice of regular and plug-in hybrid variants.
An AMG model, possibly powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, will be added to the range about a year after the debut of the regular models at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Aside from the C-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz will eventually add a station wagon and a coupe model, and if our sources are correct, a convertible variant as well.
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