Practically every version of the next Mercedes-Benz C-Class will use hybrid powertrain technology, a Mercedes-Benz insider has revealed in a conversation with Autocar magazine.
While the current C-Class has just undergone its mid-life nip and tuck, the next one is due at the tail end of 2013 and it will be built right here, for export, at Merc's East London assembly plant.
Aiming to be a leader in the race to radically reduce CO2 emissions levels, in order to meet ever-stricter European emissions laws, insiders are now revealing that lower-end C-Class models will boast CO2 figures similar to today's small diesel hatchbacks. To that end, the most economical diesel version is likely to emit in the region of just 100g/km of CO2, with the cleanest petrol-powered model emitting less than 120g/km on the combined NEDC cycle.
Many ideas are still being thrown around, as to how (besides just hybrid tech) Mercedes-Benz will make their mainstream sedan so green. These range from the use of three-cylinder turbo engines, to cylinder deactivation and the usual tricks like weight reduction and lower mechanical friction.
Either way, you can surely expect the next 'super-efficient' C-Class to also be somewhat more expensive.