Mercedes-Benz is offering a more fuel-efficient powertrain lineup in its new C class including a small diesel from Renault, a diesel hybrid and a plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid.

The sedan is also lighter, bigger and better-equipped than its predecessor to help it regain its sales lead against rivals, the BMW 3 series and Audi A4.

“This is the most attractive C class we have ever built and you won’t find a higher quality car in its class,” Mercedes r&d head Thomas Weber said.

The lightest variant has a curb weight of 1400kg, 100kg less than its predecessor. Nearly all of the exterior body panels are made of aluminum to save weight.

Mercedes is adding C-class production at its U.S. plant in Alabama, making it the first Mercedes model to be built in four countries.

Other production locations are the main C-class plant in Bremen, Germany, along with East London, South Africa and Beijing, China. China gets a long-wheelbase version for the first time.