Timing, Details on Mercedes C-class Diesel, Hybrid, C450, Coupe

The latest Mercedes-Benz C-class sedan is a far classier car than the one it replaces, but it launched in just two flavors: the turbocharged four-cylinder C300 4MATIC and the twin-turbocharged V-6–powered C400 4MATIC. That’s gonna change in a big way over the next 12 to 24 months, with Mercedes planning to add a diesel, a plug-in hybrid, and an AMG Performance model, as well as the new Mercedes-AMG C63 and two additional body styles. Yes, that’s a lot of new stuff, and, yes, they’re all going to be available in the U.S. Read on to get all things W205 C in one convenient, easy-to-digest serving.

The new Mercedes-AMG C63 is pissed off and coming to get you. Yes, you. Mercedes-AMG C63: This car debuted in sedan form at the recent Paris auto show, and you can read all about it here. The rear-drive hooligan loses the naturally aspirated and ear-porn-tacular 6.2-liter V-8 that we loved so much in its predecessor in favor of the M177 variant of the twin-turbo M178 V-8 found under the hood of the new AMG GT sports car. (The main difference is that the latter has wet-sump lubrication.) The engine will also make its way into the other C-class body styles—the current W204 C63 AMG coupe will be available through early 2015—most of which will come to the U.S. (Just not the awesome wagon.)

C250 BlueTec: This is, as you might suspect, the diesel sedan. Powered by the same OM651 2.1-liter diesel four as the GLK250, it will pack something like 200 horsepower and 370 lb-ft of torque and go on sale in the spring of 2016. Once online—it will also be assembled in Alabama like other U.S.-market C sedans—it’s expected to make up 5 to 10 percent of total C-class sedan sales; unlike Mercedes-Benz’s strategy with its diesel SUVs, however, it won’t be the least-expensive four-door C. The BlueTec will be available strictly with 4MATIC all-wheel drive.

C350 plug-in hybrid: One of the first Mercedes plug-in models, the Alabama-built C350 will go on sale in the spring of 2016. It will team the C300′s turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor and offer up to 10 miles of electric-only driving range. Mercedes sees this car—as well as the S550 plug-in—as a way to prove that it can build a great hybrid as it ramps up its electrification strategy ahead of 2020, by which point PHEVs will be critical members of the automaker’s lineup. The C350 will launch with rear-wheel drive, with 4MATIC possibly arriving later.

2015 Mercedes-Benz C400 4MATIC sedan

C450 AMG Performance: This car is exactly what it sounds like: a BMW M Performance–like bridge model between the regular C-classes and the skull-obliterating C63. It will get an uprated version of the C400′s 329-hp twin-turbo V-6, likely good for 360 horses or so and spinning all four wheels via 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Expect all manner of sport-tastic styling touches, more-aggressive brakes and suspension, and copious AMG logos inside and out. (The name could also be AMG Sport.) The sheet will be pulled off at next January’s Detroit auto show, and the car will go on sale in the fall. Here’s the kicker: It will supplant the C400 completely after a year on the market.