The company"s CLS monster...

The company"s CLS monster sports saloon has clearly inspired the C-Class"s designers. Despite their best efforts at disguising the car, a pronounced crease clearly arches along the side from behind the front wheel, borrowing heavily from the racy-looking luxury model.

At the front, there"s a wider, more pronounced grille which will be flanked by a pair of swept-back headlamps. But things are less adventurous at the back, where trade-mark triangular rear lights are retained either side of the conventional bootlid. The executive saloon uses SLK underpinnings, so promises sporty handling and a smooth ride to back up its sleek styling. It will feature a wide range of engines and advanced technologies when it goes on sale, including the firm"s excellent 3.2-litre oil-burner.

The luxurious interior is expected to draw heavily from the uncluttered design previewed by the new M-Class, and rear passengers will also get improved leg and headroom. Potential buyers might have to wait, though, as the existing model is set to soldier on for a while yet.

The all-new C-Class is likely to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007. Even so, a concept car previewing the production version is likely to debut towards the end of next year, possibly at September"s Paris Motor Show.