All-New 2015 Mercedes Benz C-Class

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class at North American International Auto Show
Photo: NAIAS

Here's the next generation C-Class from Mercedes-Benz.  Lighter, sleeker and more efficient, according to Mercedes-Benz officials, while offering a new level of high-class interior design to underscore the luxurious comfort and refined sportiness of the Three-Pointed Star's entry level sedan in North America and top-selling model, globally.  The new C-Class made its US debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Photo: MBUSA

The U.S. market launches with two C-Class models:  C300 4MATIC with a 2.0L turbocharged direct-injection in-line four cylinder engine delivering preliminary power figures of 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of    torque and a C400 4MATIC with a 3.0L turbocharged direct-injection V6 at 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.

On a visual level, the new C-Class represents a bold departure from its predecessor.  Its striking, dynamic design exudes sensuous clarity and arouses emotions.  

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class interior
Photo: MBUSA

The interior design demonstrates a bold new approach by Mercedes-Benz. Here the designers combine in accomplished style the architecture of Mercedes-Benz sports cars with a totally new center console featuring flowing lines.  A large one-piece center console panel performs an elegant sweep from the center air vents to the armrest.  These seamless clear-cut lines create a sense of open space and convey a thrillingly purist and modern feel.

The new 2015 C-Class should arrive in Mercedes-Benz showrooms this summer.

See the new C-Class in motion.

2013 North American International Auto Show

Slideshow of photos from Media Preview of the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.  (All photos courtesy of NAIAS)

2013 Detroit Auto Show

smart USA plans to launch five-door model

One of the world's smallest cars will soon get a big sister.  smart USA, which currently markets the fortwo micro car, plans to introduce a five-door model to the American in the next 15 months.  The announcement was made today in Detroit.

Roger Penske

This will be quite a leap for smart which is known for tiny vehicles, large on efficiency.  "We are faced with continuing customer demand for a smart car with more seating capacity," explained Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske.  To meet that demand, smart will partner with Nissan to build the B-segment five-door car on architecture from the Japanese automaker.  The new model will only be sold in the United States.

Next Generation Mercedes-Benz CLS

Second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS (European Model)
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz

The revolutionary Mercedes-Benz CLS gets its first major redesign since being introduced in 2003.  The production version of the second generation CLS was recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.  Mercedes-Benz calls the new CLS "refined sportiness" citing a new design language, more efficiency and more safety among other features.

Mercedes created a new category when it introduced the CLS, combining the sportiness and elegance of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan.  The German automaker has sold approximately 170,000 CLS models globally.