Mercedes-Benz C-Class Facelift: Details and pricing revealed

By Martin Pretorius 

The current (W205-generation) C-Class has been a roaring success for Mercedes-Benz, with more than a million produced in the four years since its arrival. Since the CLA-Class took up the mantle of Mercedes's smallest four-door car and the A-Class is now a conventional hatchback, the C has been allowed to move upmarket in style and execution.

Not only does it look like a scaled-down S-Class, it also features much of the same technology. This push upmarket is set to continue, with the mid-term facelift due to align the compact executive saloon even more closely with its larger siblings. Here's what the update will bring:

Not much will change on the cosmetic front

Apart from the usual restyling job on the bumpers, light clusters and grille, the newest C-Class will largely continue the styling direction followed by its predecessor. One notable change is the new grille design, which will ape the one which premiéred on the AMG GT R sports car (on the sportier variants). 

Rather anachronistically, the standard headlights will apparently still be halogen units, but full-LED units will once again be on offer as an option. In addition, an advanced “Ultra Beam” LED headlight system will also be available, which is supposed to increase the reach of the headlights on high beam. Expect new alloy wheel designs as well, along with the usual Mercedes variety of styling options. 

Technology and interior updates

The cabin design is much as it was before, except that the tablet-like screen atop the centre console receives new, larger display options. There will be some new trim choices, with additions likely to include open-pore wood veneer, and new colour schemes featuring in the order book for leather, carpets and headlining.

In front of the driver, a new, all-digital display will optionally take the place of the standard instrument cluster, using a 12.3-inch screen instead of the normal dials and needles. The steering wheel controls also switch over to the BlackBerry-like touch pads as seen in the larger cars, while the centre console's touch pad will receive haptic feedback, and will control a new user interface. 

Driver aids will also be similar to those available in newer Mercedeses, with an improved array of cameras and sensor to power things such as the semi-autonomous cruise control, Active Lane Change assistance, and Emergency Stop Assist. Meanwhile, the cruise control will also interface with the GPS system to pre-emptively adjust the car's speed ahead of roundabouts, intersections, and bends. It however remains to be seen which of these systems will be standard, and which will be optional.

Mechanical updates are substantial

At the time of launch, the biggest news will centre around three new four-cylinder engines. First up is the C200, which drops the outgoing model's 2.0-litre turbo petrol in favour of a new 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder. While torque output drops from 300 Nm to 280 Nm, peak power output remains at 135 kW, partly thanks to a belt-driven, 48 volt mild-hybrid system which adds up to 160 Nm at low revs. Only the 9-speed automatic gearbox is confirmed at this stage, though a lower-priced 6-speed manual should be available as well. There's also a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol, likely to develop 190 kW and 370 Nm in the C300. 

On the diesel front, the old C220d's 2.1-litre engine makes way for a much more-modern 2.0-litre unit. Still turbo charged, the new entry-level diesel sees its power output jump from 125 kW to 143 kW, although torque remains pegged at 400 Nm. The other main engine option is the AMG C43, which uses the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 as before, to produce 287 kW and 520 Nm, sent to all four wheels via the 9-speed automatic.

Subtle but effective improvements

In true Mercedes fashion, the facelifted C-Class should polish this model range enough to keep it competitive in its class, and will add enough new toys to keep the buyers interested. How will these improvements change the character of one of Mercedes's most important cars? Stay tuned, because we will tell you as soon as we've driven it during the local launch event this August.

In the meantime, here are some indicative prices, according to the local Mercedes-Benz website. As always, remember that this will vary depending on the chosen trim package, and options will undoubtedly add many thousands of Rands to these numbers:

C180:	R586 500
C200:	R 613 500
C220d:	R 651 000
C300:	R 716 000
AMG C43 4 Matic:	R 948 500