Mercedes-Benz Unveils Refreshed C-Class and Domesticated Long-Wheelbase GLE

According to Chinese tech publication ifanr, the C-Class has sold more than 12 million units globally since its debut in 1982, making it one of the most important volume models in Mercedes-Benz history. Although the company describes the update as the most comprehensive technical upgrade ever, the new car still belongs to the existing W206 series in terms of body proportions, door windows, and cabin structure. It does not have a new platform or redesigned body, making this a mid-cycle refresh covering design, intelligence, and powertrain.

One of the most visible changes is the grille. The new C-Class adopts a glowing grille similar to the new S-Class, filled with three-pointed stars. The headlamps gain star-shaped daytime running lights, with matching taillight graphics, and the exterior mirrors project the star onto the ground when the doors open. Lighting has become a key brand symbol in this round of Mercedes-Benz models. The intelligent digital headlights are also upgraded, with improved precision, brightness, and efficiency, providing better light distribution and reducing blind spots at night.

The side profile remains largely unchanged, with the long hood, short front overhang, and tapering roofline carried over. Mercedes-Benz is evidently not trying to overturn the W206 but rather to extend the life of this mature architecture through new design and technology. Inside, the cabin is refined rather than reinvented. The freestanding digital instrument cluster, central vertical screen, and three round air vents are retained, while a new multifunction steering wheel reintroduces physical stalks and rollers for more direct operation of frequently used functions, reducing accidental touches during driving. The upgraded Burmester 3D surround sound system features 15 speakers, Dolby Atmos, and ten levels of spatial effects adjustment.

For Chinese customers, the more significant changes lie behind the screens. The new C-Class uses Mercedes-Benz's in-house MB.OS architecture, enabling over-the-air updates for both infotainment and driver assistance. A virtual assistant called Xiaoben, integrated with the Doubao large model, can engage in continuous, natural conversations and adjust its tone based on the driver's expression. The assisted driving system continues to partner with Momenta, featuring China-specific urban and highway navigation assistance that covers different cities and road conditions. When Momenta's R7 world model is introduced later, the system's spatial perception and understanding of the physical environment will be further enhanced, eventually enabling continuous assisted driving from a private parking space to a destination parking space.

On the powertrain side, the upgraded 2.0T M 254 EVO four-cylinder engine adopts a second-generation intelligent electric motor system, providing an additional 17 kW and 205 Nm of torque. The 48-volt system supports coasting, start-stop, and energy recovery. A new electric auxiliary turbocharger can build pressure in milliseconds, improving low-speed throttle response. While not turning the C-Class into a performance car, it makes acceleration from a standstill, in traffic, and during mid-range overtaking quicker and smoother. The chassis retains the front four-link and rear five-link suspension setup, with what the company says is revised tuning for better steering response and cornering support while maintaining long-distance comfort.

At this point in the W206 model cycle, Mercedes-Benz needs a strong mid-cycle update to sustain the core model's market presence before a full replacement arrives. The real competitive upgrades here are the intelligent systems and powertrain, not just the new star-shaped lights. The GLE, meanwhile, arrives four years late to domestic production compared with the BMW X5L, which has been produced in Shenyang since 2022 and has sold more than 300,000 units by the end of 2025. The Chinese-made long-wheelbase GLE measures about 5,051 mm in length with a wheelbase of 3,115 mm, 120 mm longer than the overseas standard model. The domestic BMW X5L is about 5,060 mm long with a 3,105 mm wheelbase, making the two nearly identical in size, with the GLE having an extra 10 mm of wheelbase.

The GLE, however, does not adopt a six-seat layout. It remains a five-seater in the filing to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, with the extra 120 mm used primarily to expand second-row space and improve seat comfort. This is a calculated but risky choice, as it avoids overlapping with the three-row GLS while continuing to serve business, long-distance, and traditional luxury SUV users. But it also means the GLE is unlikely to directly replace six-seat Chinese NEV models like the Aito M9 or Li L9 in the growing family market. In terms of intelligence, the domestic GLE mirrors the new C-Class, with MB.OS on the bottom, Doubao for cabin interaction, and Momenta for assisted driving. Powertrain options are a 2.0T engine with 190 kW for the GLE 350 L and a 3.0T inline-six with 280 kW for the GLE 450 L, both with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The retention of the 3.0T inline-six is significant, as mechanical qualities remain a key differentiator from domestic NEVs and a basis for competing with the X5L.

The performance flagship continues to be imported. The new AMG GLE 63 S uses an M 177 EVO 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a flat-plane crank, producing 612 hp and 850 Nm, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds, and the second-generation ISG adds 23 hp and 205 Nm. While this model is not about sales, it maintains the GLE's performance credibility as the long-wheelbase domestic version attacks the mainstream market.