Mercedes C-Class images leaked

A SPANISH blog has published what it claims are pictures of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class’s exterior, apparently leaked on the German company’s official website ahead of the official global unveiling of its top seller at the Detroit motor show in January.

Although some overseas pundits have described the all-new rear-drive mid-sizer as a scaled down S-Class, the sheet metal and grille treatment revealed in the photos show a much closer resemblance to the existing E-Class.

The sedan shown in the main full-car image features a minimalist twin-blade grille in a pronounced body-coloured surround, along with three lower air openings that are reminiscent of those of the E-Class.

Another image shows a close up of the traditional-style chrome grille variant that retains three chrome cross bars in a chrome surround and the three-pointed star badge on the hood.

The twin creases down the flanks of the car are similar to those of the E-Class, although the latter’s rear wheel arches are more pronounced.

LED daytime driving lights are evident in the headlamp clusters, with a single “eyebrow” light strip across the top in place of the E-Class’s twin LED set up.

The new C-Class reportedly will be mounted on the same modular MRA architecture as the E-Class and S-Class, but scaled down to suit the C-Class’s new position between the front-drive CLA and E-Class.

The C-Class retains rear-wheel drive but will gain hybrid variants from launch. It also will be slightly bigger than before to help to separate it from the more affordable CLA.

The new model will be revealed in the flesh in sedan form at Detroit, ahead of its global roll out through 2014, including Australia about mid year.

A liftback model is said to be under development for later release to compete with the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 3 Series GT.

Mercedes-Benz has already started revealing details of the new C-Class, including images of the interior and technical information of the new body that will be a hybrid of aluminium – including die-cast inner panels – and steel.