Mercedes makes the electric C-Class €4,760 cheaper
Mercedes-Benz is expanding the electric C-Class range with the new C 300 4MATIC, lowering the model’s starting price in Germany to €62,951. Until now, the electric C-Class cost at least €67,711. The saving comes at the expense of a smaller battery and 50 kW less power, but all-wheel drive and 800 Nm remain.
Smaller battery, still 310 kW
The C 300 4MATIC uses two permanent-magnet electric motors and produces 310 kW and 800 Nm. The existing C 400 4MATIC offers 360 kW and also 800 Nm.
As a result, the 0-100 km/h acceleration time rises from 4.0 to 4.5 seconds, while the top speed remains 210 km/h for both.
The bigger difference lies beneath the floor. The C 300 gets a battery with 85 kWh of usable capacity, while the C 400 uses a 94 kWh battery. The new version has a WLTP range of 549-690 km, compared with 594-762 km for the more powerful model. Energy consumption is between 14.1-17.8 and 14.1-18.5 kWh/100 km respectively.
The new version loses little in charging
The 800-volt electrical system remains. The C 300 has a maximum DC charging capacity of 320 kW, compared with 330 kW for the C 400. Both charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes.
With a 10-minute charge, the C 300 can add up to 290 km of WLTP range under ideal conditions, while the C 400 can add up to 325 km. The standard AC charger operates at 11 kW, while a 22 kW onboard charger is available as an option.
Mercedes has made no concessions in practicality either. The boot holds 470 litres, the front luggage compartment adds another 101 litres, and the permitted mass of a braked trailer reaches 1,800 kilograms.
The C 300 makes the electric C-Class much more competitive
In Germany, the C 300 4MATIC costs €62,951, or €4,760 less than the C 400. That puts Mercedes much closer to the BMW i4. For example, the rear-wheel-drive 250 kW i4 eDrive40 costs from around €60,000 in Germany, while the all-wheel-drive 295 kW i4 xDrive40 starts at €68,020.
Mercedes has not yet reached the bottom end of the electric C-Class price list, however. The manufacturer confirmed that rear-wheel-drive versions and different battery sizes will be added later. Mercedes has previously promised a range of around 800 km for one future rear-wheel-drive variant.
This could prove to be the most important C-Class for the European market. The C 300 4MATIC already shows that 360 kW is not necessarily needed to make use of this car’s strengths. With 310 kW, all-wheel drive, 690 km of WLTP range and 320 kW charging, it is a more rational package for €4,760 less.
