C-Class (W206) [Official] Mercedes Benz C-Class (W206)

[PHYBENZ]

How about CLE?

CLE for some reason and unfortunately has more hard plastic than GLC, same as C Class.

 

[Rolf]

Looks like the electric C-class due in 2026 is receiving a different shape front compared to the first mules shown.

• New spy shots show the first ever Mercedes C-Class EV sedan testing.
• Images appear to show a new front-end design and bigger grille.
• The C-Class with EQ Technology will battle BMW’s i330 EV in 2026.

Even a facelift couldn’t stop sales of Tesla’s Model 3 sliding in 2024, and life for the electric sedan is only going to get tougher. Within two years BMW, Audi and Mercedes will all be armed with brand new electric sedans, and these fresh spy shots show Benz’s contender testing.

It’s not the first time spy photographers have snapped prototypes of the 2027 electric C-Class – we’ve previously seen it in both regular and AMG guises. But this is the first time we’ve seen a prototype with this style of front-end design.

Compared with older test cars, this one has a new hood line that’s cut back at its leading edge, suggesting Mercedes has had a rethink and decided to make the grille bigger in time for production. The company has form here: in 2024 we noticed the exact same thing had happened to prototypes of the GLC.

And when you think about what has happened to Mercedes EQ cars already on sale, it’s entirely believable that Mercedes might have opted for a pre-launch facelift. Sales of EQ electric cars like the EQS have been far lower than expected, and that can’t all be blamed on an EV market that hasn’t matured the way automakers hoped.

EQ models have been criticized for their boring bar-of-soap styling, and last year Mercedes facelifted the EQS to give it a more traditional Benz grille in an effort to boost its appeal. Is that’s what’s happened to this C-Class?

We’re still at least a year away from officially seeing the electric C-Class in finished form, so this car still wears plenty of disguise and placeholder lights – expect star-motif LEDs front and back. But there are still details we can take away from this image set, including that while the shape of the tail suggests a liftback configuration, the trunk shutlines look like those of a formal notchback sedan.

Mercedes is keeping the tech spec under its hat for now, but we do know that the electric C- and GLC-Class models will ride on the bigger MB.EA platform and not the MMA one that forms the base of this year’s CLA, the C-Class’s little brother. But Mercedes has promised 800-volt tech and an electric range of 466 miles (750 km) for the small car, and we’d expect the C-Class to match and get close to those numbers respectively.

A couple of year ago we might have expected this car to be called the EQC, but Mercedes has tweaked its EV naming strategy recently, and we now predict it’ll be badged C-Class with EQ Technology, following the lead of the electric G-Class. Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius confirmed last year the C-Class EV would debut in 2026, so a MY27 arrival looks likely.

Did Mercedes Just Give The 2027 C-Class EV A Pre-Debut Facelift To Make It Less Boring? | Carscoops

Latest electric sedan prototypes have a different hood shape, suggesting Mercedes is making the grille bigger

www.carscoops.com

 

[Luca]

 

[leylandi]

 

[sako97]

The excuse “it doesn’t fit” is now invalid:

VUK on Instagram: "🌍 World Premiere! 🌍 The first C-Class W206 with a V8 engine – one of a kind worldwide! 💥 🔥 2 years of development made it possible: A masterpiece where power meets elegance, redefining excellence. 🚀 Performance reimagined: This V

7,500 likes, 213 comments - vuk.manufaktur on January 28, 2025: "🌍 World Premiere! 🌍 The first C-Class W206 with a V8 engine – one of a kind worldwide! 💥 🔥 2 years of development made it possible: A masterpiece where power meets elegance, redefining excellence. 🚀 Performance reimagined: This...

www.instagram.com

VUK on Instagram: "🔥 V8 BEAST AWAKENS – FIRST START! 🔥 After countless hours of work, sweat, and dedication, the moment finally arrived – the first start of this V8 monster! 💥🔊 🔧 Fully transformed & one of a kind 🎶 The sound? Pure goosebumps! 🚀 A C

1,110 likes, 28 comments - vuk.manufaktur on January 30, 2025: "🔥 V8 BEAST AWAKENS – FIRST START! 🔥 After countless hours of work, sweat, and dedication, the moment finally arrived – the first start of this V8 monster! 💥🔊 🔧 Fully transformed & one of a kind 🎶 The sound? Pure goosebumps! 🚀 A...

www.instagram.com

 

[Yaz]

Not all heroes wear a cape

 

[Jonathan19]

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[klier]

The star shaped headlights are a wonderful surprise and pretty original.

 

[Rolf]

The star shaped headlights are a wonderful surprise and pretty original.

Soon every single Mercedes will have star headlights and star glow grill, star tail lights and stars on the driver screen on the dash. Maybe some stars on the seats and hood (SL Maybach) could be next.

 

[merc4]

According to jesmb.de the facelifted C AMG should get the M256M R6 engine.

 

[Merc1]

i can live with that. Now will sales come back is the question.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

i can live with that. Now will sales come back is the question.

M

Judging by the warm reaction the CLE53 has received, I think AMG buyers are screaming for any 63 without a 4 cylinder.

A 6 will at least make it competitive with the M4, and MB will undoubtedly go hard with the hybrid to push the performance parameters.

 

[Gor134]

I've seen so many CLE53s this past month in my city, way more than CLE350/450s

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Judging by the warm reaction the CLE53 has received, I think AMG buyers are screaming for any 63 without a 4 cylinder.

A 6 will at least make it competitive with the M4, and MB will undoubtedly go hard with the hybrid to push the performance parameters.

I think they need a proper answer to the M340i than the M3.
The M139L is a great motor, no doubt. But it's still no match for the B58 when it comes to torque across the power band, and if you're getting a baby M or baby AMG, a 6 will always be more charismatic.

Heck they can even put the 2.5L version of the M256 in the C43. Or if they really want they can engineer a new 6 cylinder using the fancy tech of the M252 1.5L. The former would be a lot easier cause it's already in use in China.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I've seen so many CLE53s this past month in my city, way more than CLE350/450s

The reaction has been really positive here too, which is what MB Australia needed. It is really a looker, and that certainly helps.

 

[Merc1]

The CLE itself is a hit. Not having the E interior is the only issue but the market doesn’t mind it.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The CLE itself is a hit. Not having the E interior is the only issue but the market doesn’t mind it.

M

IMO MB guys are desperate for anything, which is why they've gotten away with the interior. But the market has noticed and I don't doubt we will see improvements come FL time.

 

[HUTSUTAo]

According to jesmb.de the facelifted C AMG should get the M256M R6 engine.

what is the highlight of the m256m engine

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

what is the highlight of the m256m engine

Well, I can tell you it's forms part of bloody good drivetrain in the new E53.

 

[Serpens]

Heck they can even put the 2.5L version of the M256 in the C43. Or if they really want they can engineer a new 6 cylinder using the fancy tech of the M252 1.5L. The former would be a lot easier cause it's already in use in China.

A 2.5L I6 would lose the modularity (cost savings) with the I4 and there’s really no need to make an investment in a brand new I6 at this stage. The 43 models are really put an odd position with no obvious answer other than hybrid power.