MERCEDES-Benz will introduce a facelifted version of its best-selling model in Britain this summer - but customers will be hard-pushed to recognise the differences. However, officials at Mercedes-Benz Espana SA are confident the revisions are sufficient to boost the mid-range model's appeal against prestige rivals from Audi and BMW.

All versions of the C-class get a fresh grille and a deeper body-coloured front bumper. At the rear, the bootlid has been reworked to feature a spoiler-shaped lip. New design alloy wheels are introduced and interior trim is revised. Most significant changes go under the bonnet. New V6 engines in 2.4 and 2.8-litre capacities replace the previous four and straight-six motors. They produce 170bhp and 197bhp respectively and are claimed to offer improved efficiency.

For the Spanish market, Mercedes-Benz is making anti-skid control standard on the V6 and 250TD models. It is also offering its Parktronic sensor system and side airbags as options on the C-class for the first time.