WITH THE ALL NEW C CLASS, MERCEDES BENZ IS INTENT ON MAKING ITS BEST SELLING COMFORT ZONE MORE DELUXE AND ADVANCED – THAN EVER

BY EVAN MONROE

In 1982, Mercedes Benz introduced the W201, the direct predecessor to today’s C-Class. Dubbed the Baby Benz, the still midsize saloon unlocked a new market for the German marque, sliding below the upper medium and luxury sized categories, delivering “Mercedes cutting edge technology in compact form” (the official slogan its inaugural year). The C-Class was officially christened in 1993 with the 202 model series, and the nameplate has continued to entice luxury buyers over the decades with its approachable price point, sleek styling, and cabin comforts, though any groundbreaking technologies or ultra-modern elements first arrive on the prestigious S-Class. But it looks like the next generation C Class, scheduled for an early 2022 arrival, was tired of waiting its turn.

The 2022 C Class the best-selling nameplate in the Benz lineup over the last decade – was unveiled with several S labeled features, including the next generation MBUX infotainment system paired with an optional 11.9 inch “Floating” touchscreen, plus a massive 12.3 inch high res driver’s instrument display. The learn capable system boasts a ton of high tech tricks and toys, like augmented reality enabled navigation, a fingerprint scanner to access a unique driver prole, and an onboard assistant that responds verbally to “Hey Mercedes.”

The next gen C Class gets a size boost, stretching 2.5 inches longer, half an inch wider, and adding an extra inch to the wheelbase. Mercedes asserted that every passenger will get more wiggle room, as all interior dimensions in the front and rear have grown. The vehicle will still be powered by a 255 horsepower turbocharged four banger, but it’s adding a 48 volt mild hybrid system that can temporarily add another 20 horses. With the implementation of the hybrid system across the board, the C Class will be the first non EQ in the Benz lineup to electrify every variant in some way.

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