2012 Mercedes C-class Facelift

Due in U.S. showrooms this summer, the volume selling Mercedes-Benz C-class is getting its mid-cycle refresh.

The highlight of the update lies under the hood, with a new engine lineup. The entry-level model will become the C250, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine good for 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes claims a combined 24 mpg city/highway for this configuration. The top shelf C350 V6 has been upgraded from 268 hp to 302, along with a 5 percent gain in fuel efficiency. Greener and meaner..!

New tech tidbits include several driver assistance systems. These include Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Attention Assist and Park Assist. Sounds as if you really don’t have to do much to drive the darn thing anymore…

Visuals..?

The exterior mods are highlighted by a change to the headlamp design as well as grill and bumper restyles, not to mention a proliferation of LED lighting. In all honesty I prefer the previous look, feeling the new version to have less of a sporting feel. Please note this is a minor quibble. The interior alterations do come off well though, with updates to the dashboard and control surfaces.

It is nice to see Mercedes bringing the horsepower more in line with rivals from BMW, Audi and Cadillac. This should make for some interesting comparisons. While not a blockbuster revise, all-in-all a job well done…