Mercedes-Benz is now taking orders for its refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-Class range, with prices for the launch range starting from £33,180 and first deliveries due in July.
The opening price is for the C200 petrol in entry-level SE spec. It gains a new EQ Boost mild hybrid system that uses 48-volt electrical architecture with a belt-driven starter/generator to provide additional torque (read more on powertrains below).
There is also a C220d diesel that starts at £35,690, while the hot six-cylinder-powered AMG C43 tops the three-engine launch range and starts from £49,675.
Both saloon and estate versions are offered, while above SE, Sport and AMG Line trims are offered.
The engine range will be bolstered later this year with a lower-priced entry model and further electrified EQ models. These will be full plug-in hybrids, in the form of the C300e petrol, as well as a four-cylinder diesel hybrid called the C300de.
The new EQ Power system increases the output of the electric motor by 40bhp over that used by the existing four-year-old 300h to 120bhp.
The two new plug-in hybrids’ electric range will extend to more than 31 miles, thanks to the lithium ion battery’s capacity rising from 6.4kWh to 13.8kWh.
Mercedes is remaining tight-lipped about the combined system outputs for the C300e and C300de, which aren't due out for several more months. However, the C300e’s turbo 2.0-litre petrol engine is claimed to deliver 208bhp and the C300de’s 2.0-litre diesel makes 191bhp.
The revisions include a number of subtle styling upgrades, including reprofiled bumpers with added chrome highlights, new headlights and a new diamond-pattern grille insert for AMG Line models.
Inside, the facelifted C-Class retains the basic dashboard design of the outgoing model, together with updated analogue instruments and a 7.0in infotainment display.
