Mercedes C-Class LWB unveiled at 2014 Beijing Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz took the wraps off the long wheelbase (LWB) version of its new 2015 C-Class at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. The LWB C-Class called the 260L is made exclusively for China and gets an additional 59mm added to its wheelbase. The vehicle is designed to take on its stretched- for- China rivals like the BMW 3 Series, the Audi A4L and the Volvo S60L. The C-Class Long wheelbase though looks very similar to the regular model and the added length is believed to be noticeable only from the inside. 

The vehicle will be powered by a 1.8-litre four-pot engine producing 201bhp and 309Nm of torque. The power is sent to the rear wheels through an automatic gearbox. The performance is sprightly for a small capacity motor,  as the C260 L does the 0-100 kph figure in 7.6 seconds and hits a top speed of 241kmph.

Mercedes might offer a six-cylinder engine to the long-wheelbase lineup later, however it will not get a diesel engine due to various laws governing the use of diesel engines in China. The Mercedes C-Class long and regular wheelbase variants will be built in Beijing, China by a joint-venture between Daimler and Beijing Automotive called Beijing Benz. The LWB C-Class may go on sale later this year or in the first half of 2015. Mercedes also announced selling the longer C-Class outside China. 

The new C-Class is expected to go on sale in India in 2015., Wiwith the German car maker announcing the sale of the LWB variant outside China, India might get the LWB C-Class too. Much like the Chinese, most Indian luxury car buyers spend most of their time at the rear seats and a extra room is always a boon. But, considering the car will be priced lower than the E-Class, an LWB model could cannibalise its elder sibling’s sales, and it seems the chances of it being launched here are minimal.

Pictures:CarnewsChina