A newly refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-Class is on the way featuring a number of design changes and it will be hitting the road in the autumn in both saloon and estate guises.

Fresh features include a diamond-effect front grille on AMG Line models and new bumpers. LED headlights will be standard on UK cars while ultra-bright multi-beam lamps are now an option.

In addition, customers will be able to select from some new colour shades with a metallic silver and emerald green finish being added to the range

Move inside the car and you will discover a cleaner look to the cockpit with a new open-pore wood trim available. The C-Class adopts the display concept of the current S-Class, with an optional fully digital instrument display offering the three different display styles.

The basic model features a classic two-tube instrument cluster with a central 5.5-inch colour display, but the fully digital instrument display is an option and comes with a 12.3-inch display which can be switched through the three modes at the touch of a button. Sat nav and eco mode information is now included in the read out.

The multimedia screen above the centre console is also available in two sizes, seven or 10.25 inches and there is also the option of pneumatic seats with massaging functions and adjustable bolster support.

Extra safety features are fitted allowing the new C-Class to be operated semi-autonomously in certain conditions. It comes with extended automatic emergency braking as standard and an improved lane changing function as well as predictive speed control using information from the sat nav system.

The current C-Class, which was launched four years ago and priced from £29,035, has become the German marque’s best-selling model, accounting for more than 400,000 sales globally last year.

Potential customers will be able to learn more about precise UK specification for the new model next month.