C-Class

Coupe

The C-Class Coupe is basically unchanged for 2015.

Sedan

The C-Class Sedan is all new for 2015. The wheelbase is over three inches longer, the overall length almost four. Wheel track and width is also up by about two inches. These changes add up to almost two inches more rear legroom and a slightly larger trunk (12.8 cu-ft vs. 12.4). The nomenclature for different engines is changing. Last year a C250 was a 1.8 Turbo (201 horsepower). This year a C300 is a 2.0 Turbo that makes 33 more horsepower than the CLA250 it's borrowed from, for a total of 241 horsepower @ 5500 RPM and 273 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 1300 RPM. The C400 replaces the 3.5 V6 in the C350 with a twin turbo 3.0 V6. A lot of new features have been passed down from the S-Class, including the questionable "Cabin Fragrance System," which is the technological equivalent of the woman in a tight dress who squirts you as you walk through a department store. (For some reason it's illegal to use Judo on them, but the C-Class system can be turned off.) An in-car WiFi hotspot is standard. No word on monthly rates. A standard touchpad is one way to manipulate the systems in the C-Class. A driver can even write things on it to activate systems or input navigation directions. Which brings us to: Safety systems in the new C-Class are similar to last year. A greater variety of high-strength steel and aluminum have improved the strength of the cabin. A Collision Prevention Assist Plus system brings a standard automated collision warning and braking system to the C-Class.

C63 Coupe

No changes in the C63 Coupe, which retains its huge naturally aspirated 6.2 V8 with 451 horsepower or the optional 507 horsepower "507 Edition."

C63 Sedan

The C63 Sedan works with the new chassis on the C300/C400 Sedan, and replaces the huge V8 from the previous C63 with an all-new twin turbocharged 4.0 V8. Base horsepower bumps up to 469, torque is 479 lbs.-ft. The C63 S has 503 horsepower and 516 lbs.-ft. of torque. The new engine nestles its turbochargers into the "V" of the engine, underneath the intake manifold runners, making it more compact and assisting with startup emissions by warming up quickly.

CL-Class

Gone. Replaced by the new S-Class Coupe.

CLA-Class

Collision Prevention Assist Plus, an automated braking system to help prevent crashes is now standard. Dual zone automatic climate control is now standard. Keyless-Go is now offered, to allow the driver to keep the keys in pocket or purse and unlock the car with a touch.

CLS-Class

The CLS-Class gets a substantial update for 2015 model year, including new sheet metal and interior. The sides now feature a indented, swept area. The lower front air intakes are now larger and no longer bisected with LED lights. The side-marker light are integrated into the all-LED headlight units. The rear fender flairs are more prominent. Also, for CLS400 and CLS550, a new 9-speed automatic is the first in the world for a rear-wheel drive car. The CLS550 with its 402 horsepower twin-turbo V8 is being joined by a 3.0-liter 329 horsepower twin-turbo V6 in the CLS400. Priced at $66915 (including destination), the CLS 400 will save you about $6000 over last year's CLS550 ($7210 savings over the 2015 CLS550, at $74125). Airmatic Air-Coil adjustable suspension costs extra on the CLS400; it was standard last year on the CLS550 and is again. The CLS400 also gets a less expensive Garmin navigation as standard. COMAND Navigation with traffic and weather is available for extra cost. Fuel mileage is 20 city/30 highway for the CLS400 RWD and 20 city/28 highway with 4Matic All-Wheel Drive. All CLS-Class models now get standard full LED headlights. Active headlights that follow corners are still an option; called MULTIBEAM headlamps, they are now controlled by a camera which helps better illuminate corners, offramp and traffic circles. The fire-breathing CLS63 AMG now longer comes in a less flaming non-S model. Now the 577 horsepower CLS63 AMG S 4Matic is the only AMG for the CLS-Class. Collision Prevention Assist Plus is now standard and has autonomous braking as well as collision warning.

E-Class

E-Class Cabriolet

E400 replaces the E350, with twin turbocharges nestled in the "V" of the engine, horsepower goes up by 27 as size goes down to 3 liters and fuel mileage goes up. Collision Prevention Assist Plus now has autonomous braking as well as collision warning.

E-Class Coupe

E400 replaces the E350, with twin turbocharges nestled in the "V" of the engine, horsepower goes up by 27 as size goes down to 3 liters and fuel mileage goes up. Standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus now has autonomous braking as well as collision warning.

E-Class Sedan

On the sedan, the E400 with its turbocharged V6 replaces the V8 E550, instead of the E350. Unless you count the E63 hotrod, this is the first time the E-Class Sedan hasn't offered a V8 since it was first introduced in 1993 (US). All the other variants proceed with no real changes, except the standard Collision Prevention Assist Plus now has autonomous braking in addition to collision warning.

GL-Class

The full-size GL450 has its twin-turbo 4.7 V8 replaced by a twin turbo 3.0 V6. The new engine produces 362 horsepower. It features auto start/stop technology to achieve 17 city/21 hwy EPA fuel mileage. Up from last year's 14/19. Don't worry, the GL550 and GL63 will still give you your V8 fix.

GLA-Class

All-new compact SUV. Based on the CLA-Class, it is the first Mercedes crossover with front-wheel drive. For the launch, all-wheel drive will be standard, but a front-wheel drive GLA will become available in Spring of 2015. Like the CLA, it is powered exclusively by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine in two power variants: GLA250 with 208 horsepower, and GLA45 AMG with 355.

GLK-Class

No changes.

M-Class

ML250 BlueTEC

A new ML250 BlueTEC turbo diesel 4-cylinder will offer the M-Class' highest fuel mileage yet. It hasn't been rated yet, but the same engine in the smaller GLK250 BlueTEC is rated at 24 city/33 highway. With 200 horsepower and 369 lbs.-ft. of torque it should perform adequately as a replacement for the ML350 BlueTEC, which it is replacing.

ML400

At the other end of the performance spectrum, the ML550 with its 4.7 twin turbo V8 is being replaced by the ML400 and a twin turbo V6. The new 3.0 V6 is down by 73 horsepower to its predecessor: 329 horsepower vs. 402. Almost ninety lbs.-ft. less torque as well means the ML400 won't be the same beast. Fuel mileage on the ML400 is considerably improved at 18 city/22 hwy, versus 14 city/19 hwy. It has an ECO Start-Stop feature shared with the ML350 BlueTEC, which turns the engine off whenever it is stopped, starting it up when the driver begins to release the brake pedal.

ML63 AMG

The real monster of the M-Class lineup is unchanged, with its 518 horsepower 5.5 twin turbo V8 intact.

S-Class Coupe

S-Class Sedan

Autonomous braking when a collision is imminent is now standard up to 65 MPH. A heads-up display that projects speed, navigation directions and other information onto the windshield in front of the driver is now optional. V12 options, in S600 and S65 AMG were introduced during the 2014 model year. Engines range from 449 horsepower for the standard S550, up to 621 for the S65 AMG twin turbo V12.

SL-Class

A new, entry-level (hee-hee, $84,000!) SL400 is introduced, with a twin-turbo 3.0 V6 producing 329 horsepower. Ventilated seats, Active Multicontour (massaging) seats, Airscarf (neck heater), Keyless-Go, Power trunk with Hands-free access, Parktronic, rear backup monitor and Active Parking Assist become extra-cost options on the new SL400. At the other end, the SL63 AMG loses its standard 530-horsepower 5.5 twin turbo V8, and the optional 557-horsepower version is now bumped to 577 and made standard. Price is only up $700, to $148995.

SLK-Class

No changes.

SLS AMG GT

The Black Coupe is gone. Only 350 last run units will pop out. An $18,000 "Final Edition Package" is mandatory. What's in it? Nothing.