2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Everything We Know About The Compact S-Class For The Masses

The current W205 generation of Mercedes-Benz C-Class has aged rather well since its 2014 introduction, striking an elegant balance between opulent luxury and sporting pedigree.

Nevertheless, the German luxury powerhouse isn’t resting on its well-earned laurels, with an all-new replacement for the popular sedan undergoing development testing as evidenced by a myriad of recent spy photography.

Will it be radically different or follow the same conservative approach as other recent Mercedes introductions? Lets illustratively explore further.

Refined Appearance

For those easily startled by the approach BMW has applied to the new 4-Series, you’ll be glad to see Mercedes-Benz have taken the conservative approach in terms of frontal design. Some might label it as a bit ‘meh’, however, it won’t alienate existing C-Class customers. So what are the main visual highlights?

Illustrations copyright Carscoops.com / Josh Byrnes

At first glance, it could be a mini S-Class with a sleek front end; the trapezoidal chrome grille is wide and upright, flanked by LED headlamps which provide dynamic lighting. Lower down, the air intakes are more curvaceous, while side surfacing is restrained in a ‘less is more’ approach, with crisp shoulder lines and lower rocker mouldings doing the job of creating surface tension.

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From behind, it follows the same theme as its larger siblings, with new horizontal tail-lamps that are joined by a chrome strip across the trunk lid. Sadly, some test mules indicate that’ll have faux exhaust tips; rest assured though, AMG models won’t be burdened with this sort of fakery.

Opulent Accommodation

Stepping into the cabin reveals a theme set by the all-new S-Class. Like its bigger brother, styling is dominated by horizontal lines and two large dashboard screens. One is for the instrument cluster, and the other is a substantial OLED infotainment screen featuring the latest MBUX operating system with haptic feedback.

We’ve seen reports from Europe indicating that more tech from the S-Class will also filter down. Such goodies could include that brilliant 3D driver’s display and augmented reality head-up display (HUD), fingerprint scanner/face-detection for personalised driver preferences, and dynamic ambient lighting which pulses different colours when changing the climate control temperature.

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Under the skin

The C-Class will sit upon a revised iteration of the MRA platform which supports both fossil-fueled and electrified applications. Whilst there will be 48-volt EQ Boost hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, conjecture suggests a new diesel hybrid is also on the cards for European and Asia Pacific markets.

Controversy surrounds the future of the much-loved 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in the AMG C63; some reports suggest it’ll be ditched in favor of an extremely potent hybrid 2.0-litre unit producing north of 500 horsepower. However, nothing has been officially confirmed by AMG …we don’t mind hybridisation, but fingers crossed that V8 stays!

Sitting somewhere in between sedate and savage, a new C53 variant has been spied testing in Northern Europe. This mid-level AMG model competes against BMW’s M340i and conflicting reports suggest it will likely sport either a 2.0-litre turbo-four from the A 45 S, or a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine coupled with an EQ Boost electric setup pumping out 430 hp to all four wheels.

The sedan version of the 2022 C-Class will be joined by the regular Estate and taller-riding All-Terrain wagon bodies pictured below

Rivals and Reveal

The all-new C-Class will go toe-to-toe with BMW’s highly regarded G20 3-Series, Audi A4, Jaguar XE (albeit not in the U.S. where it was axed), Alfa Romeo Giulia, Volvo S60 and Lexus IS.

It is tipped to debut later this year in sedan and estate formats (although, don’t expect the latter to reach U.S soil, sadly), with sales kicking off early 2021. The Coupe, Cabriolet and a high-riding, All-Terrain version of the wagon will launch at a later date.

Has Mercedes played it too safe with the new C-Class? Share your views in the comments below.