These are the best spy pictures we have seen yet of the facelifted Mercedes C-class.

Previous spy pictures have shown a car with limited changes under a heavy disguise, but these pictures show the styling revisions in much more detail.

The facelift C-class, which will be here within the next 12 months to compete with the facelifted Audi A4 and new BMW 3-series, it gets new LED daytime driving lights, a new bonnet and bumper, new front lights and a revised front grille.

The changes at the rear are more minor. There are only small modifications to the bumper and lights. All styling changes draw influence from the Mercedes E-class, which went on sale last year.

There is no word yet on interior or to the engine range, but expect Mercedes to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy across the range.

The revised C-class saloon will arrive before the all-new C-class coupe, which is due to be launched later in 2011. The coupe will share its platform with the saloon version and will be a more conservative replacement for the CLK, sitting below the E-class coupe. The launch of the C-class coupe should spell the end for the CLC sports hatch.

autocar.co.uk