The latest generation W204 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been on sale since 2007 and is due for its mid-cycle facelift in the first half of next year. As these latest spy shots and computer generated rendering of the facelifted 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate suggest, the car’s designers won’t be mucking around with the stylish look of the current model, instead choosing to focus on only minor changes such as new bumper, headlight and wheel designs.

Besides the styling changes to the exterior, there will almost certainly be some updates to the interior and a number of mechanical changes. The latter will likely include modifications intended to improve the efficiency of the C-Class and boost Mercedes-Benz’s fleet wide fuel economy and emissions averages.

Expect to see some new engines with direct-injection and turbocharging, including the recently revealed twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 that will feature in the C63 AMG. Some other changes will likely include the addition of new Blutec diesel powertrains and engine stop-start systems.

Like previous updates, the new changes will be incorporated across the C-Class range but there will also be a major shift in the lineup--the addition of a new C-Class Coupe.

As for the Estate wagon, Mercedes-Benz spokespeople have confirmed to The Car Connection that there are no plans to bring this particular model to the U.S. although we still get the bigger 2011 E-Class Estate. Mercedes-Benz brought the C-Class wagon to the U.S. from 2002 through 2005, but it was a slow-seller and the current version never made it.