Mercedes-Benz opens up the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Attended by top Mercedes-Benz executives including Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the new C-Class takes over over the reins of the previous W204 that has been on sale since 2007.

The new C-Class, designated W205, is a thorough update of the car. Though not all new, the wheelbase is longer by 80mm, the body is 95mm longer and 40mm wider. On the outside, the new C-Class gets the styling cues that debuted with models like the new A-Class, updated E-Class and S-Class.

The new Mercedes C-Class comes in three distinct 'lines': the Exclusive Line (luxury oriented), the Avantgarde Line (more modern) and the AMG Line (more aggressive and sporty). Mercedes also points out how the C-Class can be specified with LED headlamps as a replacement of the standard HID headlamps and on top of the standard LED taillights and running lamps.

The W205 gets new Mercedes safety technology such as Intelligent Drive with Attention Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist, a new brake assist system and other clever technologies.

The W205 was launched in Detroit with the C220 Bluetec (2.1L diesel, 170 PS, 400 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds) and the C200 (2.0L gasoline turbo, 184 PS, 300 Nm, 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds).