The new model is said to offer the driving skills and safety systems of the brand's luxury vehicles and sets the class benchmark for perceived value and sense of quality.

Mercedes says the C-Class has been thoroughly modernised with a new front and rear, and has more than 2,000 new parts.

The new model also features ten new driver assistance systems, ranging from the ATTENTION ASSIST fatigue detection system to DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.

In addition, fuel consumption is reduced by up to 31% through the use of new engines, the enhanced 7G TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission, and the ECO start-stop function.

Dr Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: 'The C-Class is a highly successful model that has been attracting more and more customers from all over the world since its launch. We are confident that the new generation will continue the success story of its predecessor.'

Mercedes-Benz has sold around 8.5 million vehicles in the C-Class segment since the first vehicle was introduced back in 1982.