Usually, when the same model is spotted by two different spy photographers in one day, we're talking about the same actual car. In this case, though, the two 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans could not have been more different.
It's not just that one is white, and the other is black, but the amount of camouflage foil used to hide their features is also in a high discrepancy. While the white one had very few opportunities to show its true color thanks to the black filmed applied extensively, this one here with the dark paint job only has its front bumper covered.
This means that seeing only one of the two could give its viewer completely different impressions over what Mercedes-Benz is preparing for the refreshed C-Class. And for a very good reason: the two are testing very different aspects of the car.
As our readers very well pointed out in the comments, this car is probably a mule for the new 48-volt mild-hybrid system that will be introduced on the C-Class shortly. The giveaway is the hub behind the front wheels where the KERS (energy regeneration system) hides, meaning Mercedes is looking to let as little energy go to waste as possible. The C-Class range already has two hybrid models in its range, but as the Stuttgart brand makes a push for the electric segment, it needs to harvest as much knowledge on this technology as possible.
The W205 is just over two-years-old, but in more recent fashion, Mercedes-Benz is already working on the model's mid-life revamp. What exactly will this put on the table? Well, that's anyone's guess, but whether Daimler's top brand is going to use the same pattern as with the S-Class by fitting individual modules on the test cars one by one remains to be seen.
Whatever the case, expect minor detail changes to the car's front - headlights, bumper, grille - that will give it a slightly fresher look, not that the C-Class actually needed it. On the inside, considering the W205 was the car to start this new dashboard and center console design that later models borrowed, we don't see Mercedes operating too many changes, if any. An all-digital instrument cluster? We'll see.
These two separate spottings show that Mercedes-Benz isn't ready to bring out the more advanced prototypes yet, but that moment will come. In the meantime, we have to make do with these early mules that don't really tell that much about what the new car has prepared for us. But if there's something we've learned in the past few years is that we can trust Mercedes-Benz to deliver beautiful and well-made cars. So keep calm and carry on until late 2017, early 2018 when the facelift should be revealed.
This means that seeing only one of the two could give its viewer completely different impressions over what Mercedes-Benz is preparing for the refreshed C-Class. And for a very good reason: the two are testing very different aspects of the car.
As our readers very well pointed out in the comments, this car is probably a mule for the new 48-volt mild-hybrid system that will be introduced on the C-Class shortly. The giveaway is the hub behind the front wheels where the KERS (energy regeneration system) hides, meaning Mercedes is looking to let as little energy go to waste as possible. The C-Class range already has two hybrid models in its range, but as the Stuttgart brand makes a push for the electric segment, it needs to harvest as much knowledge on this technology as possible.
The W205 is just over two-years-old, but in more recent fashion, Mercedes-Benz is already working on the model's mid-life revamp. What exactly will this put on the table? Well, that's anyone's guess, but whether Daimler's top brand is going to use the same pattern as with the S-Class by fitting individual modules on the test cars one by one remains to be seen.
Whatever the case, expect minor detail changes to the car's front - headlights, bumper, grille - that will give it a slightly fresher look, not that the C-Class actually needed it. On the inside, considering the W205 was the car to start this new dashboard and center console design that later models borrowed, we don't see Mercedes operating too many changes, if any. An all-digital instrument cluster? We'll see.
These two separate spottings show that Mercedes-Benz isn't ready to bring out the more advanced prototypes yet, but that moment will come. In the meantime, we have to make do with these early mules that don't really tell that much about what the new car has prepared for us. But if there's something we've learned in the past few years is that we can trust Mercedes-Benz to deliver beautiful and well-made cars. So keep calm and carry on until late 2017, early 2018 when the facelift should be revealed.