Mercedes-Benz rolled out the new generation C-Class tonight in Detroit. A slight update in exterior styling, a more-heavily updated interior, and a couple of nice wagons, which won't be coming to the US. Why do you hurt us, MB?
We've heard it before, but let it be said that A new direct-injection V6 in the C350 Sport Sedan produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque over the previous model's 268 hp and 258 lb-ft, with a 5 percent improvement in fuel economy. A new, turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine for the US features gets 24 mpg, or 15 percent better than the 2011MY C300.
Mercedes has said the new C-Class debuts a new generation of telematics systems—the company's multimedia system COMAND Online now provides internet access. C-class buyers are getting this system first, before it'll migrate upstream to other models. The new system will be more user-friendly, with larger 3D displays, phone book transfer, text message display, wireless music via Bluetooth and a USB interface in the center armrest.
The bad news, at least for US-based fans of the C-Class wagon—a group that's either becoming larger by the day, or just noiser—the wagons the company rolled out at a private event tonight in Downtown Detroit won't be coming to the US. Just a tease, a reaction-test or a nod to the throngs of German-speaking media personnel converging on the city this week? Wagonites can only guess.