New Mercedes-Benz C-class gets CES preview - plus exclusive <b>...</b>

Posted: 05 Jan 2014 12:00 AM PST

The new Mercedes-Benz C-class will be given a digital debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week. Show attendess will be able to view a full-size version of the car digitally through a special augmented reality app.

The full in-the-metal reveal will come at the Detroit motor show next week, before going on sale in the UK in the spring.

Mercedes has so-far only confirmed spec details of three launch engines of the new C-class, but insiders have revealed to Autocar details of the second wave of engines due later in the year. These include a new twin-turbocharged V8 engine in the C63 AMG that could have as much as 493bhp.

The initial engine line-up in the new C-class, seen here in this exclusive studio shoot, includes a 168bhp 2.1-litre turbodiesel in the C220 Bluetec, a 154bhp 1.6 petrol in the C180 and a 181bhp 2.0-litre petrol in the C200.

Shortly after launch, a further turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine will be offered in a C250 model. This has outputs of 208bhp and 258lb ft of torque.

On the diesel front, an ECO version of the C220 Bluetec will be offered, complete with an aerodynamically optimised body and low rolling resistance tyres. This is expected to have a best-in-class rating for CO2 emissions close to 100g/km.

A 201bhp, 369lb ft version of the 2.1-litre turbodiesel will be offered in the C250 Bluetec.

Each of these three additional C-class variants will be offered with Mercedes' new nine-speed automatic gearbox, codenamed NAG3 and known as 9G-Tronic.

Later in 2014, Mercedes will offer a C300 Bluetec Hybrid variant. This is offered with the C250 Bluetec-spec version of the 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine, and gains an electric motor with 28bhp, 184lb ft electric motor. This C-class is also set to get the nine-speed auto'.

Another late 2014 engine launch in the C-class range is Mercedes' new 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, codenamed M177, in the C63 AMG. This engine will have between 454bhp and 493bhp and will be rolled out across Mercedes' whole suite of AMG models from late 2014. The 7G-MCT SpeedShift automatic gearbox from existing AMG models will be retained in the C63 AMG.

In 2015, Mercedes will launch a C300 Plug-In Hybrid model. It uses the M274 turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine in 249bhp state of tune together with a 67bhp electric motor.