Mercedes’ testing grounds for worldwide available models like the upcoming W205 generation of the C-Class aren’t limited to the Nürburgring or even Europe, as they take place all over the globe – including, of course, the USA.
Our good friend Ervin Mezey, who you may remember from our Buick Reatta posts, crossed paths with a black-cladded 2015 C-Class in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles.
Ervin told us that he believes it was a hybrid version: “I know it’s a hybrid because I could hear the engine turn off when the car stopped and turn back on when it was time to proceed. FWIW [For Whatever It’s Worth], the engine sounded anemic when the car would begin to move (I assume a 4 cylinder if not maybe a 3 cylinder???).”
The other possibility we would add here is that it could be fitted with a start-stop system that deactivates the engine when the car comes to a complete halt for a predefined time. The only way to tell if it is indeed a (full) hybrid is if it rolled on the road without an engine sound using the electric motor. We will mention here that we have heard that the C-Class will likely be offered with both regular and a plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Look for the new C-Class sedan next year.
Thanks to Ervin for the scoops!
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