Prototypes for the new C Class sedan have been spotted testing across Europe for over a year, while those for the new convertible have only just appeared.
Though the prototypes provide plently of clues as to what the cars will look like, they shed little detail on what will be powering them. Now, thanks to comments from Mercedes’ U.S. chief, Steve Cannon, we know the new C Class will offer diesel and hybrid options in addition to the regular gasoline offerings. Speaking with Automotive News (subscription required), Cannon said the new C Class will make its debut at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show before landing in showrooms in August of that same year, making it a 2015 model. Coupe and convertible versions will arrive about a year after the sedan, about which time new diesel, hybrid and all-wheel-drive options will also be offered. A high-performance AMG version is also in the pipeline and should be on sale by then. The diesel C Class will likely feature the 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine currently fitted to the GLK250, where it produces 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid model, meanwhile, will likely pair a four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. The expansion of the C Class range has been devised to better compete with the Mercedes’ main rival, BMW’s 3-Series lineup of cars. One advantage Mercedes has is that the new C Class will be manufactured in the U.S., which is cheaper to produce in than in Germany, where the 3-Series is sourced. Mercedes will also produce a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the U.S. with its alliance partner Nissan, which it will offer in the new C Class. Courtesy of Motor Authority
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