All-electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class arrives with up to 762 km of range and 330 kW charging
Mercedes-Benz has opened orders for its first all-electric C-Class saloons. The C 300 4MATIC and C 400 4MATIC feature an 800 V electrical architecture, all-wheel drive and new battery technology. The more powerful C 400 offers a WLTP range of up to 762 km and DC charging at up to 330 kW.
C 400 offers up to 762 km of range
The C 300 4MATIC uses a lithium-ion battery with a net capacity of 85 kWh and offers a WLTP range of up to 690 km. Maximum DC charging power is 320 kW, with up to 290 km of range added in ten minutes under ideal conditions.
The C 400 4MATIC gets a battery with a usable capacity of 94 kWh. Its WLTP range reaches 762 km, with DC charging at up to 330 kW and up to 325 km of range added in ten minutes.
Both models take 22 minutes to charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent.
These figures immediately place the electric C-Class at the top of its segment. In particular, the 762 km range and charging power of more than 300 kW give Mercedes-Benz a strong answer to BMW's Neue Klasse and Audi's next-generation electric saloons.
Up to 360 kW and 800 Nm
The C 300 4MATIC develops 310 kW and 800 Nm. Acceleration from 0–100 km/h takes 4.5 seconds.
The C 400 4MATIC delivers 360 kW and the same 800 Nm, but reaches 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds. Both have a top speed of 210 km/h.
Mercedes-Benz offers AIRMATIC air suspension and rear-wheel steering as options. The latter reduces the turning circle diameter to 11.2 metres and improves stability at higher speeds.
Electric architecture makes the C-Class larger
The all-electric C-Class does not use the architecture of the combustion-engined model. The new platform has a wheelbase of 2962 mm, which is 97 mm longer than that of the current C-Class saloon.
Rear passengers benefit most from the extra space. Front legroom increases by 12 mm, while the panoramic roof adds 22 mm of headroom at the front and 11 mm at the rear.
The rear boot holds 470 litres, while the front luggage compartment adds another 101 litres. The latter represents a significant gain in practicality for the C-Class, providing space for charging cables or hand luggage.
Both versions can tow a braked trailer weighing up to 1800 kg and an unbraked trailer weighing up to 750 kg.
Coupé-like body and illuminated grille
The electric C-Class also looks distinctly different from the existing saloon. Its body features a low, wide nose, more muscular rear wings and a gently sloping, GT-style rear end.
For the first time, the C-Class features three side windows. A wide grille dominates the front end and can be fully illuminated, depending on the specification. Mercedes-Benz already uses the same design on the new GLC.
The headlights and rear lights feature the brand's latest star-shaped light signatures.
Hyperscreen grows to 39.1 inches
The cabin's main optional feature is the new MBUX Hyperscreen, with a screen spanning 99.3 centimetres, or 39.1 inches.
The system runs on Mercedes-Benz's MB.OS operating system and supports customisable digital functions. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz has not abandoned physical controls. The new steering wheel has a separate volume roller and a DISTRONIC switch.
Options include electrically adjustable seats with lumbar support, ventilation, massage and 4D sound.
C-Class enters the electric era as a model in its own right
The most important change is neither the power output nor the screen size, but the fact that Mercedes-Benz no longer treats the electric C-Class as an electric version of a combustion-engined car.
Its own 800 V architecture, longer wheelbase and range of more than 700 km show that the new model competes with next-generation electric saloons as a dedicated electric car.
In the European market, success will depend above all on price. Judging by the technical specifications, Mercedes-Benz has, at least this time, made a sufficiently significant step towards bringing the C-Class into the electric era.
