2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Won’t Be An EQC With An Engine

Over the course of the last year, we’ve seen numerous upcoming electric Mercedes models undergoing testing in heavy camouflage, but we haven’t seen the next combustion-powered C-Class – until now. While it appears to share the same general proportions as the electric C-Class we’ve spied before, it’s not the same thing underneath. Any electric C-Class – which is unlikely to receive the confusing EQ prefix – will be a whole new beast altogether, while this is simply a revision of the BMW 3 Series fighter we’re all familiar with.
 

Bringing The Looks Into Line With A New Styling Strategy
Like the upcoming facelifted S-Class sedan, the new C-Class will adopt a new LED signature in the headlights, with a graphic of the Three-pointed Star providing running lighting. This is an element we first saw on the CLA-Class concept car in September 2023, and it’s something we’ll see on the production version of that compact sedan too. This C-Class has some camouflage over its mirror caps, so it’s possible that the turn signals could get new graphics as well.
 
This detail and others like it will not be exclusive to combustion vehicles, as Mercedes has realized that the jellybean styling of the first batch of EQ-branded models did not resonate well with buyers. Over at BMW, the gas 7 Series and the electric i7 look nearly identical, and Mercedes is now following the same strategy. Interestingly, this test mile does not have the star graphic in its taillights, which suggests that these units are either placeholders or destined for a base model; perhaps the new graphic will help set higher trims apart.
 
What To Expect Inside And Under The Skin Of The 2026 C-Class
The current W206 model was launched in 2021, so it’s not old, but it is in need of revitalization. Sadly, the Stuttgart-based automaker has not indicated what to expect under the hood, but we believe that the currently available 2.0-liter turbo-four hybrid will carry over, likely with an increase in its 255-horsepower peak output. The AMG variants – the C43 and the oft-berated C63 – are also likely to continue using that sort of setup, though we’re not sure if an increase on their 416 hp and 671 hp, respectively, would be necessary.
 
AMG knows that dropping the V8 resulted in a loss of customers, but while the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 of the old C63 can technically fit, it would be a monumental undertaking to make it compliant with regulations, and that’s before we even get to the reengineering of the chassis. Fortunately, there may be a compromise in the form of the next CLE 63. Expect a reveal of the 2026 C-Class sometime in the summer.