The Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206) is the fifth generation of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class which is produced by Mercedes-Benz Group AG since 2021. It replaces the W205 C-Class which had been produced since 2014. The fifth-generation C-Class is available in sedan (W206), station wagon/estate (S206), and long-wheelbase sedan (V206) body styles. The W206 C-Class is based on the Mercedes MRA II rear-wheel drive modular platform also used by the W223 S-Class.

Design All W206 C-Class models are equipped with four-cylinder engines that have an integrated starter generator (15 kW electric motor) and a 48-volt electrical system.

The W206 has independent front and rear suspension. The front axle is a four-link axle, the rear axle is a multi-link axle. Rear axle steering with a steering angle of 2.5 degrees is available as a factory option; the turning circle is reduced by 0.4 m to 10.6 m with the rear axle steering option. The interior styling is related to the S-Class (W223). The C-Class also has a central LCD with a screen diagonal of either or .

The C-Class All-Terrain was released as the crossover-styled estate model. Bearing the X206 codename, it received external body cladding, a 40 mm increase in ride height, 4Matic AWD and additional drive modes.

Powertrain The smallest available petrol engine is the 1.5-litre M264 engine offered in the C 180 model (rated power ), and in the C 200 model (rated power ). The C 300 model is powered by a 2.0-litre M254 petrol engine rated . The M254 is equipped with a twin-scroll "segmented" turbocharger featuring an overboost function that allows it to produce an additional 26 kW for up to 30 seconds, as well as a 48V electric supercharger that provides assist at low engine speeds.

Daimler initially offers two Diesel models, the C 220d, and the C 300d. Both models are powered by the same 1992 cm3 OM654 engine, rated in the C 220d, and in the C 300d. Compared with the preceding Diesel engine, the OM654 has a new crankshaft that increases the stroke to 94.3 millimeters, and a water-cooled, variable turbine geometry turbocharger. In July 2021, the C 200d was introduced with a detuned version of the above engine, now producing of power and of torque.

Daimler has announced that it will be offering a plug-in hybrid model with a petrol engine, the C 300e, as well as a plug-in hybrid model with a diesel engine, the C 300de. The mainline C-class 4Matic models and AMG C43 continue to use permanent AWD with an open double-planetary type center differential. The two axles are linked by a pre-loaded two plate clutch with a locking action of 50nM. Two versions of Magna's Trumax open center differential transfer case are used. The non-AMG models use the version geared for a 45/55 front-to-rear torque split. AMG C43 models are offered with the more rear-biased AMG-Performance Permanent AWD, which uses a center differential geared for a 31/69 front-to-rear torque split. The AMG C63 uses the AMG-Performance 4Matic+ AWD. This system replaces the open center differential with an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch which enables stepless coupling of the front axle to the drivetrain. The rear axle is permanently driven. Drive torque distribution to the front axle is infinitely variable throughout the range of between 0 and 50% of total gearbox output torque. The plug-in hybrid models are supposed to have an all-electric range of 100 kilometres.

As of April 2022, AMG offers a new engine in the C 43 4MATIC: a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder M139 engine + 48V electric motor, rated at a combined .

The M139 4-cylinder engine in the C 63 S E-Performance produces , giving it a specific output of per litre or per cylinder, making it the current most powerful four-cylinder engine in serial production.

ModelYearsEnginesPowerTorqueTop speed (km/h)Fuel consumption/efficiency (NEDC)Petrol enginesC 180 / C 200 L2021– turbocharged 16V I4 (M264 E15 DEH LA) + 48V Electric Motor (MHEV) + at 5,500–6,100 rpm at 1,800–4,000 rpm8.6 secondsC 200 / C 260 L + at 5,800–6,100 rpm + at 1,800–4,000 rpm7.3 secondsC 200 4MATIC7.1 secondsC 300 turbocharged 16V I4 (M264 E20 DEH LA) at 5,800 rpm at 1,800-5,800 rpm6.0 secondsC 300 4MATICAMG C 43 4MATIC2023– turbocharged 16V I4 (M139) + 48V electric motor (MHEV)4.6 secondsDiesel enginesC 200d2021– turbocharged 16V I4 (OM654 DE20 R SCR) + 48V Electric Motor (MHEV) + at 4,200 rpm + at 1,800–2,800 rpm7.7 secondsC 220d + at 4,200 rpm + at 1,800–2,800 rpm7.3 secondsC 220d 4MATIC7.4 secondsC 300d + at 4,200 rpm + at 1,800–2,200 rpm5.7 secondsC 300d 4MATIC5.9 secondsPlug-in hybrid enginesC 300e / C 300e 4MATIC C 350e (Thailand)2021– turbocharged 16V I4 (M254 E20 DEH LA) + Electric Motor (PHEV) at 6,100 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined) at 2,000–4,400 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined)6.1 secondsC 300de / C 300de 4MATIC2022- turbocharged 16V I4 (OM654 DE20 SCR) + Electric Motor (PHEV) at 6,100 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined) at 1,800-2,800 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined)6.2 seconds245 km/h (152 mph)C 400e 4MATIC2023– turbocharged 16V I4 (M254 E20 DEH LA) + Electric Motor (PHEV) (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined) at 3,200–4,000 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined)5.4 secondsAMG C 63 S E Performance2023– turbocharged 16V I4 (M139L) + Electric Motor (PHEV) (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined) at 5,250–5,500 rpm (Engine) + (Motor) (Combined)3.4 seconds

2026 facelift The facelifted W206 C-Class was unveiled on 17 August 2026, with orders opening in Germany the following day. The update introduced a more upright radiator grille with an illuminated surround, redesigned bumpers and headlamps with three-pointed-star-shaped daytime running lights. The sedan also received star-shaped taillight graphics, while the estate retained the rear light design of the pre-facelift model.

The interior retained the 12.3-inch instrument display and 11.9-inch touchscreen, but received the fourth generation of MBUX running on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). The MBUX Virtual Assistant incorporates artificial-intelligence services from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini, while the navigation system is based on Google Maps. A revised steering wheel also reintroduced physical rocker and roller controls for functions including cruise control and audio volume.

The engine range was revised in preparation for Euro 7 emissions regulations. Petrol models use an updated 2.0-litre M254 Evo engine, while diesel models use an updated OM654 Evo four-cylinder. Non-plug-in variants use a second-generation 48-volt integrated starter-generator capable of providing up to of additional output. The C 400 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid combines a petrol engine with an electric motor for a system output of and of torque. Its 19.53 kWh usable battery provides an electric range of up to on the WLTP cycle and supports charging at up to 11 kW AC and 55 kW DC.

The suspension was also retuned, while the optional rear-axle steering system retained a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees, reducing the turning circle to .

Safety

Euro NCAP

IIHS +IIHS scores (2024 model year)Small overlap frontGoodModerate overlap front (original test)GoodModerate overlap front (updated test)GoodSide (updated test)GoodHeadlightsGoodAcceptableFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (standard system)AcceptableFront crash prevention: vehicle-to-pedestrian (optional system)SuperiorSeatbelt remindersGoodChild seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useGood+

ANCAP

References

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