Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric unveiled: Iconic German luxury car goes EV, headed for Australia
Mercedes-Benz has pulled the drapes off its all-electric Mercedes C-Class Electric and confirmed it will combine 360kW of power, ultra-fast charging and a range of up to 760km.
Created to rival the BMW i3, which was launched just last month, the new Mercedes C-Class Electric features a far more streamlined look compared to the current combustion car, delivering a low drag coefficient of just 0.22Cd.
Looking more like a coupe than a traditional sedan, the new C-Class joins both the EQE and EQS in Benz’s battery-electric sedan line-up.
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Up front, helping it make an impression is an illuminated grille that incorporates as many as 1050 individual light elements.
At the rear, the Benz features a light bar that appears to be shared with the upcoming production version of the Concept AMG GT XX.
Based on the same architecture as the new GLC SUV, the new C-Class Electric shares nothing with any combustion model and will initially be offered in C 400 4MATIC guise.
The first all-electric C-Class can travel up to 762km, although cheaper versions will follow, including single-motor variants expected to travel even further on a charge.
Claimed to be the “sportiest C-Class ever”, the new mid-size sedan blends “unmatched agility and long-distance comfort”.
Mercedes has confirmed there are no plans to offer a wagon version this time due to a lack of demand.
Sharing its 94.5kWh battery with the GLC, the new C-Class Electric’s 762km range pales beside the 900km claimed for the new BMW i3, although Benz’s direct rival features a larger 112kWh battery.
Capable of charging at up to 330kW thanks to the C-Class’ 800-volt electrical architecture, the Mercedes can add as much as 319km of range in just 10 minutes.
Driven by dual motors producing up to 360kW, Mercedes says the C 400 4MATIC can accelerate from 0–100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
Like the smaller CLA sedan, the C-Class comes with a two-speed transmission that boosts efficiency and performance.
Ensuring it can challenge the BMW i3 for driver engagement, the Benz gets a four-link front axle and a multi-link rear set-up.
Tick the Agility and Comfort pack and Benz adds its Airmatic air suspension, predictive damping and rear-wheel steering.
The latter features 4.5 degrees of rear-wheel steer, which reduces the turning circle to just 11.2 metres.
Set to introduce class-leading refinement, the C-Class gains a rigid bodyshell, a smooth low-drag body and a new quieter air-conditioning system, plus a front electric motor that can decouple.
Inside, thanks to a wheelbase 97mm longer than the combustion version, space is improved over combustion rivals, while there’s a 470-litre boot and a further 101-litre frunk.
Ahead of the driver is a triple-screen dash that evolves the EQS’s Hyperscreen and measures 39.1 inches across, although most all-electric C-Class models will feature a smaller 14.5-inch infotainment display combined with a separate 10.25-inch screen.
Ambient lighting, all-new seats with electric lumbar adjustment, and an optional Burmester sound system with massage seats, ventilation and 4D sound speakers are also available.
Above is a glass roof with 162 stars etched into it, which can switch to opaque at the touch of a button.
Running the car-maker’s latest MB.OS software, the C-Class features an AI-powered voice assistant, augmented reality navigation and Level 2+ driver assistance technology that works on both highways and in urban traffic.
On sale in Europe from around Q3 this year, the C-Class EV is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2027.
