A facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is on the way, ready to lock horns with BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 in the everlasting battle of the mid-sized premium sedans. The new C has got just the right weapons to fight them. It comes with new engines and upper classes-inspired technology.

Set to make its debut in March, at the Geneva Motor Show, the C family will, as usual, include the saloon, the estate, the coupe and the cabriolet, the latter two shaping up for the New York Motor Show in April. Deliveries across the world will start in July.

The C-Class is bound to receive a new-generation turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The model will also be available with a series of hybrid powertrains in mild and plug-in versions. The diesel models (200d, 220d and 300d) will be powered by the company’s latest OM654 engine, while the petrol ones will be animated by the M264 unit, both bringing extra power and lower emissions.

The C43 will ignore the 2.9-liter in-line 6-cylinder that finds room under and will instead retain the company’s 3.0-liter V6, while the 4.0-liter V8 will be under the bonnet of the C63 performance car. The new units will be coupled with the 6-speed manual transmission for the standard version. The 9-speed automatic gearbox will be available as an option, instead of the 7-speed gearbox offered today on the C-Class.

The model range will receive the S-Class steering wheel. The 12.3-inch display and a series of new assistance systems will be offered for an extra price.

Photo source: Autocar.co.uk