2021 Mercedes C-Class Spied Testing in Convoy for the First Time

So far, we've only seen one kind of test prototype for this small-ish executive car: a sedan with the normal body kit. However, today, we can show you a whole convoy of W206 sedans testing in unison on the streets around Stuttgart.

There's no way to confirm this, but the company could be working on car-to-car communication, just like with the S-Class. Using live updates, the Mercedes models could tell each other where the potholes are, how to best use fuel or locate hazards. It's the next logical step if we want autonomous driving, especially when Daimler has teamed up with BMW to put computers in control.

Then again, the C-Class will also need to be affordable, since it's primarily a fleet car in Europe. Thus, the self-driving tech will need to be optional while the engines need to be as clean as possible.

We've long speculated that Daimler is working on a new battery for plug-in hybrids that could potentially offer 100 km (62 miles) of pure electric range. Besides, most of the normal version will probably have EQ Boost mild hybrid assistance.

And you know the old rumors about a 4-cylinder C63 replacement? Yeah, the boss of AMG just said the engine from the A45 can and might be adapted for bigger cars. The thing is already in the CLA, so the only thing bigger than that is... the C-Class. Let's hope we're talking about the C53, but that would still mean the full-fat model is now a six-cylinder, not a V8.

The only things we know for sure is that it will use aluminum construction and will have a funky laptop-sized screen placed low on the dash.