The Mercedes-Benz C-Class greets spring 2011 having undergone a comprehensive makeover. The front and tail-end section of the million-seller are styled more strikingly, the front being brought closer to the brand's new design idiom. The front bumper has a more expressive and dynamic contour, and supports the shape of the radiator grille more prominently as the central element at the front.

The central air intake opens out upwards in a V-shape, forming a visual base unit for the radiator grille. Pronounced side sections extend from the sporty V‑shape at the centre. Continuing beneath the headlamps, these sections blend into the feature lines along the vehicle flanks, forming a link with the sides. The side air inlets in the bumper are positioned low down, giving the car a more road-hugging appearance.

Both the saloon and the estate have been given a new bonnet made of aluminium. Its contour in the area around the headlamps and the radiator grille emphasises the V-shape of the front end to a greater extent than previously.

The shape of the clear-lens headlamps has been modified to create a more dynamic and resolute impression, and to act together with the bonnet, radiator grille and bumper to give the Mercedes-Benz C-Class a new face. This impression is reinforced by both the exterior form of the headlamps and the interior of the housings. The headlamps show their modernity by precision and an interplay between matt and high-gloss areas. The halogen headlamps are arranged in the classic way, with low beam on the outside, main beam on the inside and the indicators neatly arranged in the outer corner formed with the front wing.

If the optional bi-xenon headlamps with the Intelligent Light System (ILS) are ordered, the impression of depth is reinforced by a row of lighting modules. A position light with a distinctive C-shape emphasises the night design. Behind it is a cornering light extending to the main headlamp module on the outside. A visual base in the lower section of the headlamp is formed by a horizontal broadband LED indicator unit. The horizontal LED daytime running lamps in the bumper also make the Mercedes-Benz C-Class unmistakable from a distance.

In the case of the rear bumper, the light-catching contours and dividing lines have been modified to emphasise the width of the saloon and estate even more strongly. This change is particularly obvious in the more steeply rising course of the side light-catching contours towards the tail lights. A continuous light-catching contour at the upper end of the rear bumper extends into the flanks to connect the tail end with the sides to emphasise the sporty character of the rear aspect.

In the facelifted model, the tail lights are even more neatly integrated into the tail end by a continuous covering lens. The characteristic surface meander is now on the inside of the light, and reminiscent of preceding model series. The particular impression of depth is achieved by a centrally located LED indicator, which appears to float in front of the red upper and lower light bands.