The Teamspeed spies caught the first full body prototype for the new Mercedes-Benz C-class this week undergoing cold weather testing in extremely snowy conditions. Engineers at Mercedes-Benz have gone to extreme lengths to keep the styling under wraps on the test vehicle by placing black plastic panels over nearly all the design lines.
Some are saying that the shape of the panel covering the grille could mean that we will see a more oval shape in the front and that the headlights will be reminiscent of the Mercedes CLS. Personally, I think we are looking at a test mule doing cold weather engine testing, the front end is far to long, making it disproportionate to the rear. An attribute we generally see on BMW’s, not Mercedes.
The spy photos are in the gallery below but I’ve also included past renderings of the 2014 C-Class that I believe will closer reflect the final styling of the C-Class.
Just as we are guessing at the new C-Class styling, the engines that will power the new C-Class are also just speculation at this point. Rumor has it, there may be a three-cylinder engine in the works by Mercedes but more likely we will see a four-cylinder engine with cylinder-deactivation technology. Additionally, we can likely expect a hybrid variant with an electric motor.
The new Mercedes-Benz is scheduled to hit the market in late 2013 or early 2014.
