After an unceremonious release of the interior shots of the brand-new 2015 C-Class sedan on Monday, Mercedes-Benz discharged the official (high-resolution) photos together with some initial details on the car, including its U.S. on-sale date of fall 2014 (European sales will likely begin earlier).
The interior design of the next C-Class is modern, building on the lines of the current model as well as the newer CLA compact saloon, with Mercedes leaving promises of “high-grade materials” and all the latest technology features such as a free-standing, tablet-style touchscreen display on the center console.
According to Benz, the standard 7-inch and the optional 8.4-inch screens work much like a smartphone with the use receiving “clear, haptic feedback when operating the touchpad control surface”.
Other notable interior features mentioned are an available air condition system with automatic air recirculation with tunnel detection using satellite navigation, an S-Class-like AIR-BALANCE package with active fragrancing and ionization, and a new head-up display projecting information on speed, speed limits, navigation and messages from DISTRONIC PLUS as a virtual image directly into the driver’s field of vision.
Mercedes also tells us about its efforts to reduce the new C-Class’ weight while at the same time, increasing rigidity, and reducing noise and vibration characteristics. The C-Class sports an aluminum hybrid body, which Benz says it makes it the “lightweight construction trailblazer” in its segment. The body and the bodyshell are around 70 kg (154 lbs) lighter than conventional production using steel, with the entire vehicle being around 100 kilograms (221 lbs) lighter than its predecessor.
Moving on to the chassis, we’re told that the 2015 C-Class gains a newly designed 4-link front axle for the suspension, which is made from steel, while alternatively and for the first time, Mercedes will offer an optional air suspension (AIRMATIC) on the front and rear axles allowing the driver to choose between Comfort, ECO, Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Finally, Mercedes confirmed that all of the available passive and active safety technology from the S-Class and E-Class will be available on the all-new 2015 C-Class, including a new front passenger airbag that can detect every child seat installed.
For the first time in the model’s history, the new C-Class will be built in the United States at the brand’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant as well other locations including Germany.
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