Now that Mercedes-Benz's CLA handles entry-level duties for the tri-pointed star, the newest C-Class grows closer to its upscale stablemates and more competitive against the likes of the Audi A4, BMW 3-series, and Lexus IS. Has the C-Class become a wholly upmarket offering? KBB’s Micah Muzio finds out in this video.

Mercedes tossed the covers off its new C450 AMG 4Matic sports model in both sedan and estate bodystyles.

Set to have its world debut at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show on Monday, the C450 AMG 4Matic is positioned right under the 476PS (470hp) C63 AMG. It will go up against the Audi S4 and the BMW 335i M Sport (at least for the time being, as it's rumored that BMW is preparing an answer to Mercedes).

The C450 AMG packs a tuned version of Mercedes’ twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine rated for 362hp at 5,500rpm and 382 lb-ft of peak torque between 2,000 and 4,200rpm, paired to a modified 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic and Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel drive system.

Mercedes quotes a 0-62mph (100km/h) time of 4.9 seconds for the sedan and 5.0 seconds for the station wagon, with an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h) for both body-styles.

The C450 AMG also features upgraded suspension, braking system and electronic driving aids, while riding on 18-inch alloy wheels shod in 225/45 tires front and 245/40 rear.

Benz also gave the C450 AMG a sportier styling kit with redesigned bumpers, black exterior trim, including the mirror caps, darkened lights, quad exhaust tips, a modest boot lid spoiler for the sedan and a roof spoiler for the station wagon. On the inside, there's a flat-bottom steering wheel, sport seats and specific trim.

Drive Car of the Year: Luxury Car Under $80,000. The Lexus IS 300h takes on the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and a new luxury player in the Hyundai Genesis.

Has 275 bhp & 442 lb-ft combined output

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off the C350 Plug-in Hybrid in Detroit at 2015 NAIAS.

It's Daimler's second model of this kind after the S500 Plug-in Hybrid and will be followed by eight similar cars programmed to be launched within three years. Unlike the larger hybridized S500 which has a V6 engine, the C350 Plug-in Hybrid mixes up a four-cylinder 2.0-liter gasoline engine (from the C250) with a brushless electric motor.

The conventional engine puts out 208 bhp (155 kW) at 5,500 rpm and a peak torque of 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) while the electric motor generates an additional 80 bhp (60 kW) and 251 lb-ft (340 kW). This hardware setup grants the greener C-Class with a combined output of 275 bhp (205 kW) and an impressive 442 lb-ft (599 Nm).

An updated 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic gearbox is in charge of channeling power to the rear axle and enables the C350 Plug-In Hybrid Sedan hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 5.9 seconds before topping out at 155 mph (250 km/h) whereas the wagon is 0.3s slower in the sprint and does 153 mph (246 km/h).

Mercedes-Benz has installed a water-cooled 6.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack weighing 100 kg (220 lbs) under the trunk which has slashed 15 liters of cargo capacity so now it stands at 335 liters (sedan) & 350 liters (wagon). A full recharge takes 1h 45min from a 240V/16A source or 2h from a regular household 240V/13A socket and grants the vehicle with an electric range of 19.3 miles (31 km). When running in hybrid mode, both body styles can return an impressive 112 mpg US (134.5 mpg UK or 2.1 liters / 100 km) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 48 g/km.

Mercedes-Benz will start taking orders for the C350 Plug-in Hybrid (to be sold as C350e) in the next few days, with deliveries kicking off in March.

Show starts on September 15

British media is reporting Mercedes-AMG will unveil the C63 Coupe at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show.

We still haven't seen any spy images of the standard C-Class Coupe but already there are rumors about the AMG version which according to Auto Express will be showcased in September at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

It will be one of the 16 new models planned by Mercedes this year and according to the magazine's insider, the design will be differentiated from the sedan by using the same formula that has separated the S-Class sedan from the coupe.

The insider went on to specify the C63 Coupe "looks fantastic - not necessarily what you would expect this car to look like" and will take some styling cues from the S-Class Coupe as well as the AMG GT.

No further details are available at this point but most likely the C63 Coupe will inherit the sedan's twin-turbo V8 4.0-liter engine available in two states of tune: 476 HP & 650 Nm for the standard C63 and 510 HP & 700 Nm in the more expensive C63 S.

Lastly, the C-Class range will be completed in 2016 with the cabriolet body style which will also spawn the two aforementioned AMG versions.

We see if the all-new C-Class is ready to rock with its new role in the Mercedes-Benz lineup.