First view: all-new Mercedes C-Class - Ownership

The exterior of the new car is intended to reflect the more dynamic package it clothes. Out goes the understated elegance of the current car; in comes a more wedge-shaped and aggressive look, with prominent wheelarches and a sharply cut-off tail. There are different grille treatments for the three trim lines.

If that's still not sporty enough for you, an AMG bodykit with front and rear aprons and side skirts is available. There's no mention of an AMG-tuned performance model yet, but expect to see one with Merc's 6.3-litre V8 engine a few months after the mainstream models go on sale.

The newcomer is said to provide increased space and more driver-focused controls. Upgraded safety features include many of the items developed for last year's new S-Class limo and the revised E-Class executive saloon.

Many of the car's occupant protection systems have cascaded down from more expensive Mercs. Seven airbags are standard, including one to protect the driver's knees. So are anti-whiplash front head restraints.

High-tech options include flashing brake lights that warn following traffic of emergency braking; the Pre-Safe system that adjusts seats and belts to the safest position for an impending crash and shuts windows and sunroofs; intelligent lights that vary their beam pattern according to how and where you are driving; and adaptive brakes that prime the pedal for a full-on stop in critical situations.

We'll know how much of this equipment is standard and what you'll pay extra for in a few months, when we'll also have a better idea of what kind of price increase you can expect over the outgoing model.

We'd expect the SE model, targeted at the cost-conscious business market, to be pretty close to the current Classic SE at around £23,000, with bigger price increases for the Elegance and Sport.

By then we'll also know whether the new C-Class lives up to Mercedes' bold claims about how well it drives. If it does, life is about to get more uncomfortable for BMW and Audi.