Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the new C-Class sedan will be introduced in India this year. Sources say that the next-gen W206 C-Class, which was launched internationally in mid-2021, could be in showrooms as early as May 2022. Martin Schwenk, MD and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, told Autocar India in a recent interview that the company will bring the fifth-gen sedan “in 2022”. He mentioned that the C-Class will be a volume model and will drive the double-digit growth in the company’s overall sales numbers expected this year.
Mercedes-Benz India held on to its leader position in the luxury car market last year, with sales of 11,242 cars. Schwenk said that the outgoing C-Class had racked up “a significant volume in 2021”. “The new C-Class is a great car and I’m sure it will serve its purpose and further drive up volumes,” he added.
New Mercedes C Class launch around May 2022
“We had a very good run out of the existing C-Class,” commented Schwenk. With stocks of the outgoing model all but cleared out, the German marque is missing a key product in its portfolio. “We will not keep that gap for much longer,” chimed in the Mercedes boss, alluding that the new C-Class launch isn’t far off. However, he added, “We need to align our launches with the waves of COVID. So, let’s see.
The latest-gen C-Class made its world debut almost a year ago. The W206 model sees its wheelbase and overall length grow by 25mm and 65mm, respectively, promising more cabin room. With sharper styling and new tech on offer, including a large, tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system, the C-Class has been brought in line with the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz models, including the new S-Class limousine.
Globally, the new C-Class is exclusively powered by electrified, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. And though it remains to be seen which powertrains are brought to our market, one could look forward to the company introducing its 48V mild-hybrid tech to the India line-up as well. For reference, Indian customers had the choice of two, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engines – a 204hp turbo-petrol (C200) and a 194hp diesel (C220d) – on the outgoing sedan, which was priced from Rs 50 lakh-51.74 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
Notably, the new C-Class estate has already been spied in India, though it’s the sedan that will make it to our shores.
