The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will debut on February 23, and it looks likely to be hybrid-only.
Reports from Car and Driver point to a four-cylinder-only engine range for the new C-Class sedan and wagon, with electric assistance ranging from mild-hybrid power at the entry-level to plug-in hybrid backing for the range-topping C63 S.
That’s right, the twin-turbocharged V8 engine from the current C63 is expected to be ditched for a four-cylinder engine with electric assistance.
It’s likely to pump out 410kW of power and 800Nm of torque, up 35kW and 100Nm on the current V8 engine.
That’s also up 35kW and 200Nm on the turbocharged inline-six engine in the latest BMW M3 Competition.
Beyond its hybrid hearts, the new C-Class will follow in the footsteps of the flagship S-Class by offering a higher-tech new cabin.
Inside, the large, portrait-style touchscreen revealed in a leak looks much like that in the S-Class and has been tilted six degrees towards the driver.
The driver can enter a passcode or use their fingerprint to unlock the display.
Expect to see an additional 20mm of shoulder room in the interior, despite the C-Class being only 10mm wider than the outgoing car.
The car has reportedly grown 60mm in length, too, with 25mm of that in the wheelbase.
Instead of a sharp crease slashing through the doors, spy photos reveal there are two subtler creases down the sides: one right below the window line and one towards the bottom of the doors, resulting in much smoother, cleaner sides.
Camouflage still conceals the front and rear ends though we know what the front looks like due to a leak and we know the rear will look much like the S-Class.
In Australia, the C-Class last year finished slightly behind the BMW 3 Series in the sales race.
BMW sold 3406 examples of its 3 Series, while there were 3378 C-Classes sold.
MORE: Mercedes-Benz C-Class news, reviews, comparisons and videos
