What Does 2014 Entail for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

But what of the little C-Class that we’ve come to know and love?

The C-Class has always felt slightly outgunned within its hyper-competitive class with BMW, Audi, and (sometimes) Lexus’ more sporty/refined/comfortable options. The same C-Class whose answer to its reputation as a non-performer was to punch the automotive world proverbial face with gobs of power and the promise of an ear-to-ear grin, and a snarling good time.

The C-Class has evolved quite a bit over the years, and with MB’s very clear moves to push it upmarket in order to make room for its baby brother, the CLA, 2014 will see just how serious Mercedes-Benz is taking that move.

With the 2014 NAIAS unveilings, we’ve started to see a newly unveiled C-Class with sheet metal cues from it’s larger, more affluent sibling, the S-Class. The new design teeters between aggressive, with its low-slung stance and filled up wheel wells, and clean. Its creased design is free of gaudy, gimmicks and large audacious grills (we’re looking at you Audi/Lexus). 

The car even offers two different grill options. Classic bare with the signature tri-star hood ornament, or a slightly more rambunctious AMG-style badge, slapped onto the front hood.

Ultimately, that’s where I see the C-Class going. Growing up with its customer base, figuring out whether it wants to emphasize understated refinement, or whether it wants to be considered a serious luxury performer. Surely, time will tell.

via [Daimler.de’s official blog]