Spy Shot
Spy Shots: 2008 Mercedes Benz C-Class
Baby S-Class
We've been tracking the 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class for the better part of a year now. It might seem like overkill, but we're hoping Mercedes is finally going to step up and give BMW something to worry about this time around.
Up until now the prototypes have been covered in a hard plastic shell which hid anything worth seeing, but our latest round of spy photos reveals two test mules stripped down to mere black tarps and tape. Up front it's clear the 2008 C-Class will adopt the styling of the 2007 S-Class by tossing its oval headlights in favor of more rectangular-shaped housings. The grille stretches wider across the front with a narrower, lower air intake than the current model. Although there's a sizable cutline along the side of the hood, it's a false crease caused by the camouflage; the production hood will have a traditional design.
Caught sitting next to the current C-Class sedan, the 2008 sedan prototype doesn't look much different in size or shape. The rear quarters might be slightly bigger and the wheels look an inch or so larger at the most. More prominent side mirrors are one obvious change, a consequence of new European standards which will be in effect by the time the C-Class reaches production; U.S. models may get slimmer versions. In back, the production taillights were replaced by a pair of test mule specials, but like the headlights they'll have a shape similar to the S-Class. Wagons will get a sharply sloping roofline with a more squared-off rear end.
We also managed to snag a shot of the interior for the first time. It looks as though the C-Class will switch to an instrument panel similar to the setup used in the current E-Class with a large central speedometer flanked by two smaller dials. A new center stack design ditches the centrally mounted navigation screen in favor of a pop-up unit at the top of the dash. It frees up some much needed space below but it doesn't appear as though Mercedes managed to reduce the button count by much. Also note the new steering wheel design which incorporates a more comprehensive set of auxiliary controls and the Comand controller on the center console.
We haven't uncovered any new information on possible drivetrains, so for now we expect the current 3.5-liter V6 will continue as the top-rated engine in the lineup. With 268 horsepower it has enough juice to keep pace with BMW's 3.0-liter six, at least the non-turbocharged one anyway.
Look for the 2008 Mercedes C-Class to make its debut at the Paris auto show in September with U.S. sales starting next spring.
Up until now the prototypes have been covered in a hard plastic shell which hid anything worth seeing, but our latest round of spy photos reveals two test mules stripped down to mere black tarps and tape. Up front it's clear the 2008 C-Class will adopt the styling of the 2007 S-Class by tossing its oval headlights in favor of more rectangular-shaped housings. The grille stretches wider across the front with a narrower, lower air intake than the current model. Although there's a sizable cutline along the side of the hood, it's a false crease caused by the camouflage; the production hood will have a traditional design.
Caught sitting next to the current C-Class sedan, the 2008 sedan prototype doesn't look much different in size or shape. The rear quarters might be slightly bigger and the wheels look an inch or so larger at the most. More prominent side mirrors are one obvious change, a consequence of new European standards which will be in effect by the time the C-Class reaches production; U.S. models may get slimmer versions. In back, the production taillights were replaced by a pair of test mule specials, but like the headlights they'll have a shape similar to the S-Class. Wagons will get a sharply sloping roofline with a more squared-off rear end.
We also managed to snag a shot of the interior for the first time. It looks as though the C-Class will switch to an instrument panel similar to the setup used in the current E-Class with a large central speedometer flanked by two smaller dials. A new center stack design ditches the centrally mounted navigation screen in favor of a pop-up unit at the top of the dash. It frees up some much needed space below but it doesn't appear as though Mercedes managed to reduce the button count by much. Also note the new steering wheel design which incorporates a more comprehensive set of auxiliary controls and the Comand controller on the center console.
We haven't uncovered any new information on possible drivetrains, so for now we expect the current 3.5-liter V6 will continue as the top-rated engine in the lineup. With 268 horsepower it has enough juice to keep pace with BMW's 3.0-liter six, at least the non-turbocharged one anyway.
Look for the 2008 Mercedes C-Class to make its debut at the Paris auto show in September with U.S. sales starting next spring.
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