What's the news?
It's midlife facelift time for the fourth-generation, 'W205' Mercedes-Benz C-Class, following its introduction in 2014. These changes apply to both Saloon and Estate models, for now, with the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet currently left alone.
Exterior
Subtle work on the C-Class's exterior amounts to new designs of head- and taillights, as well as redesigned bumpers for all specifications. Depending on the grade selected, a silver trim strip, a chrome-plated trim strip or a three-part chrome trim strip emphasises the front bumper, while there's a new diffuser and exhaust treatment at the rear. With their altered appearance, the lights can be halogen items with LED daytime running lamps as standard, with options including either LED High-Performance headlights or the full Multibeam LED with Ultra Range High Beam illumination. Two new metallic colours, Mojave Silver and Emerald Green, are added to the C-Class palette.
Interior
The exterior changes are minor and so are the amendments to the Mercedes' cabin, which is not bad news because the C-Class has a lovely interior anyway. Open-pore brown walnut or anthracite oak trim for the centre console is now available, while new interior colours include Magma Grey/Black on lower trims and Saddle Brown for the AMG Line cars. Keyless-Go starting is standard and the start-stop button has a fresh, 'turbine'-look effect. There's also a new design of car key, available in three finishes, and there's a Multicontour Seat package with massage function added as an option.
Perhaps bigger news is the adoption of the of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as an option, this item borrowed from the S-Class. However, due to the architecture of the C-Class's cabin, it is not possible to have the full 'widescreen display' set-up as seen in the E- and S-Class models, so the largest screen for the infotainment display on the centre console is a 10.25-inch item. Standard equipment, if you don't go for either of the above, is a pair of 'tube' analogue dials with a digital display screen between in the cluster and a seven-inch screen for the infotainment.
The touch-sensitive control pads on the steering wheel are new and are once again borrowed from larger siblings like the E-Class, while the cruise control buttons are also mounted on the wheel, instead of the column stalk that Mercedes has previously used. Elsewhere, Mercedes states the C-Class will be available with a wide range of active safety driver assist systems, Energising Comfort Control for interior 'enhanced well-being', Qi wireless smartphone charging and an intermediary 225-watt sound system, that fits between the standard equipment and the optional Burmester surround sound set-up.
Mechanicals
No word on mechanical changes, so expect the same array of petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains to be offered in the C-Class, with the AMG-brand C 43 and C 63 high-performance derivatives at the top of the line-up. That means, in Ireland, the petrol range kicks off with the 129hp C 160 and the diesels begin with the 116hp C 180 d.
Anything else?
The C-Class remains Mercedes' top-selling model worldwide in its fourth year on the market, with more than 415,000 shifted in 2017. Production takes place at four plants on four continents - Bremen, Germany; East London, South Africa; Tuscaloosa, USA; and Beijing, China - and Irish pricing and specifications should be revealed shortly, with the first facelifted cars hitting the roads in August this year.