2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Revealed

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

 The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is headed to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show for its public debut, but before that happens and thanks to a broken embargo in Europe, we’ve got photos of the new C-Class ahead of its official reveal.

Changes to the exterior of the car are extremely minor, limited almost entirely to the front and rear fascias. The front fascia receives a new headlight treatment, with a two-tiered design nearly identical to those seen on the new CL. The grille is slightly reshaped as are the lower air intakes, the fenders flares look to have been reduced, and the rear bumper is slightly lower. New, modern wheels complete the exterior revisions.

The interior of the 2012 C-Class is an entirely different story as it has been thoroughly redesigned. It now features the same angular design theme being applied across Mercedes’ lineup and now found in the S-, CLS-, E-, and CL-Classes. The new C-Class features inverted vents compared to the rest of the lineup. The big news though is that the navigation unit is no longer a pop-up unit, but is rather built right into the dash and nestled under a sun-shielding hood.

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

 Mercedes-Benz has yet to put its 2012 CLS-Class on sale here in the U.S., but we’ve already driven it, and the CLS63 AMG variant just debuted at the 2010 L.A. auto show. Not surprisingly, the tuners are right behind. German tuning house Carlsson has developed a tuning package that amps-up the exterior and interior, provides more oomph for its European-spec powertrains, and adds several suspension upgrades to boot.

The Carlsson tuning package starts with the basics: lowered suspension and an exterior enhancement package. Exterior enhancements include a front lip spoiler that can be crafted from carbon fiber and left bare, lowered side sills (which can also be made out of carbon fiber), and a modified rear fascia complete with diffuser. Buyers can also choose between 19- and 20-inch Carlsson wheels in three different colors. These touches, along with a new hood with dual powerdomes, lend the CLS a much more aggressive stance.