2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Live Photos from Detroit

The refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-Class made its first public outing at a special media event in Detroit. Available in both sedan and estate variants with an all-new coupe model set to follow shortly after, the C-Class is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in the summer of 2011.

The most notable cosmetic changes on the outside concern the redesigned front end with the L-shaped headlamps while the interior has been upgraded with a revised dashboard highlighted by the more finely detailed controls and a larger, high-resolution color display positioned on the center console.

Under the skin, Mercedes says fuel economy has been improved by as much as 15 percent, thanks to new direct-injection engines and the redesigned 7-speed automatic transmission. Along with the C350 that sports a more powerful V6 gasoline engine pushing out 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque (previously 268 hp and 258 lb-ft), U.S. buyers also get a newly introduced direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine returning a combined 24 MPG in the C250.

In addition, five new driver assistance systems ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system through to the Blind Spot Assist are now available in the C-Class lineup, while the updated telematics offer new infotainment and navigation features.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Photos Hit the Web

Official photos of the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe showed up on the internet today, revealing the exterior as well as the interior of the two-door model. Based on the refreshed C-Class that will bow at next week's Detroit Show, the newcomer in Mercedes' range features a sleeker and less complicated design than the larger and more expensive E-Class Coupe.

The front end of the car doesn't appear to differ from the sedan and estate models, but from the A-pillars and back, the Coupe gets its own unique styling with a more rakish roofline, a very Hoffmeister-like kink on the rear window and a redesigned rear end.

Not surprisingly, the interior is based off the one found in the rest of the C-Class models sporting the same revised dashboard.

We don't have any official information on the powertrain options, but the engine range will mirror that of the C-Class including force-fed four-cylinders and the latest 302HP V6. A V8-powered AMG model to rival BMW's M3 Coupe is also believed to be in the cards.

Kudos for the tip Michaël!

Via: Automobile

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VIDEO: 2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe Spied at California Processing Center

The all-new 2012 Mercedes C-Class Coupe, that may or may not debut in Detroit next week as a Geneva Salon show up in March is also a strong possibility, was spied at the Long Beach Vehicle Processing Center in California by a crafty Youtube user. The lightly camouflaged C-Class with the two-door body was parked alongside other Mercedes-Benz models including a pair of wrapped up prototypes that appear to be the next generation M-Class and SLK roadster.

While exact specifications aren’t known yet, it's believed that the C-Class Coupe will be almost identical to its recently refreshed four-door and Estate siblings under the skin, offering buyers a choice of four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines, while a V8-powered AMG model could also be in the cards.

Source: Youtube via: Autoblog.it

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Facelift Photos Leaked?

Mercedes-Benz may have wanted to keep the C63 AMG under covers for now, but photos of the high-performance model of the recently revealed 2012 C-Class facelift have already hit the web.

The pictures, which appear to be legit, show that the C63 AMG gains a restyled fascia with new headlamps, a single-bar grille and a new bumper design. There's also a single shot of the interior, which features the same basic upgrades as the rest of the C-Class range including the newly designed center console.

No word on any changes to the C63's mechanical hardware, but we assume it won't be long before Mercedes-Benz comes out with an official announcement.

Source: Evo-Cars [Thanks for the tip Ben!]

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VIDEO: Suzuki Pits Kizashi Against Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4 and Volvo S40 in New Ads

Even though Suzuki had high hopes for the new Kizashi, sales of the sedan model haven't exactly blown the socks out of anyone this year. In fact, in the U.S., Suzuki has only managed to deliver a mere 5,269 units of the four-door saloon through November. Do the math and that comes to under 500 cars a month.

But the Japanese automaker isn't about to throw in the towel, not just yet. Marking one of its largest advertising campaigns in years, Suzuki has launched an ambition set of edgy ads pitting the Kizashi against similar sized models in the luxury segment such as the Mercedes-Benz C350, Audi A4 and the Volvo S40.

In each case, the Kizashi is shown in a side-by-side test with one of the aforementioned models plus an outsider, and by that we mean a motorized sofa, a man covered in a bubble-wrap suit and a stretch limousine. Well, you can't blame Suzuki for not having a sense of humor. Scroll down to watch all three ads in the videos below.

Source: Suzuki & Autonews

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2012 Mercedes C-Class Makes Official Debut: 50+ High Res Photos

Mercedes' face-lifted 2012 C-Class recently made its official appearance, and now we have all the nitty-gritty for you. Set to arrive Stateside next summer, the exterior gets a few tweaks (available LED lights, new creases, etc.) to stay in-line with the Benz family, while inside we get a redesigned dashboard.

Other than the dash, the interior wears metallic trim on some controls and a new gauge cluster and steering wheel. As with the outgoing model, the car will be available in Sport and Luxury trim, with a slew of options tailored to suit various consumers. C250 Sport and C300 4MATIC Sport models have brushed aluminum trim, the C350 Sport gets Black Ash, and any of the Luxury models receive Burl Walnut wood.

The big news for the 2012 C-Class concerns its available power trains. Mercedes says the car's fuel economy has improved by 15% (on some models) thanks to direct injection and a newer, greener 7-speed automatic gearbox.

For people who wanted a regular [non-AMG] C-Class putting out over 300 ponies, your car has finally arrived: thanks to the aforementioned direct injection (aka BlueDIRECT), the C350 Sport makes 302 horsepower / 273 lb-ft of torque; that's a 34 horsepower / 15 lb-ft boost, while fuel economy has been improved by 5%. American consumers will also get a new-ish direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine returning a combined 24 MPG.

Electrical nannies? You'll bet. We've got ATTENTION ASSIST, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Park Assist w/ PARKTRONIC, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Assist.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes Cars Executive VP of Sales & Marketing, says, "In terms of driveline and safety systems, the new-generation C-Class offers the comfort and safety of our luxury vehicles - and with many high-end details in the interior evocative of the new CLS, the new C-Class sets completely new benchmarks in its segment when it comes to premium look-and-feel."

By Phil Alex

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