DETROIT – Mercedes-Benz hopes to take on stronger products from BMW and Audi with its all-new C-Class sedan.
The new car was shown in Germany last month but made its U.S. debut Monday at the North American International Auto show in Detroit.
The new car is a little bigger than the 2013 model, and much of that extra space has been devoted to the passengers in the back seat.
Being a Mercedes-Benz, the car has plenty of sophisticated features like leather trim, power everything and a large touchscreen in the center console. The new car also has a heads-up display that shows the speed and other information on the windshield in front of the driver.
The new car is also more efficient. The shell of the car is now about 50 percent aluminum, up from 10 percent for the last model. That translates to a weight saving of about 140 pounds.
Mercedes-Benz executives are quick to point out that the new C-Class will be built in Alabama.