All-New 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Debuts With Electrified Engines

Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the all-new, next-generation C-Class. While its not anymore the brand’s entry level sedan thanks to the existence of the A-Class sedan and CLA “four-door coupe”, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is still an important product as it’s still one of the German luxury automaker’s core products.

As with every next-generation Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the design changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary. There’s no denying that it’s a classic, conservative design that’s meant to age well, but its shape doesn’t look distinct compared to the E-Class midsize luxury sedan and S-Class flagship full-size sedan. As with past C-Class generations, it will come with the standard models, the luxury-oriented Avantgarde and the sporty AMG Line variants. Opting the AMG Line models add sporty front and rear bumpers, side skirts, bigger alloy wheels, and a sporty grille featuring dotted Mercedes-Benz stars in its pattern.

While the exterior changes are extremely subtle, the interior changes are completely revolutionary. The S-Class inspired interior design features a significant step up in luxury and fit and finish. Also taking a page out of the S-Class are its digital screens. The all-new C-Class is the next Mercedes to feature the brand’s next-generation MBUX infotainment system, which ditches the touchpad for a pure touch screen experience. Unlike the S-Class, the C-Class’s 11.6-inch portrait screen is angled towards the driver by six degrees. The infotainment system features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even augmented reality navigation, wherein a live camera feed is projected into the infotainment screen and then navigation prompts are overlaid.

Under the hood of the all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a plethora of turbocharged inline-4 electrified gasoline and diesel engines. Yes, for this generation, Mercedes will be ditching the V6 and V8 engine options, even the high-performance AMG models. The reasons for this though isn’t due to emissions. Rather, Mercedes says the bigger engines will compromise its packaging and handling goals for the new C-Class. All of these turbocharged elecrtrified four-cylinder engines send power to the rear wheels or through an optional 4Matic AWD system via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Kicking things off is the C200, which gets a 1.5-liter engine that is mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter generator (ISG). Total system output is 201 hp and 300 Nm of torque, along with a 20 hp and 200 Nm temporary boost from the ISG. With this set up, zero to 100 kph is achieved in just 7.1 seconds for the AWD model and 7.3 seconds for the RWD model, while top speed is at 241 kph.

Up next is the C300, which uses a 2.0-liter engine that’s also mated to the same 48-volt ISG. This powertrain develops a total system output of 255 hp and 400 Nm of torque along with the same aforementioned temporary boost from the ISG. Zero to 100 kph is achieved in just 5.9 seconds for both RWD and AWD and has an electronically-limited top speed of 209 kph, which is ironically lower than the less powerful C200.

Currently serving as the peak of the C-Class range is the C300e plug-in hybrid, which uses the same 2.0-liter gasoline engine along with an electric motor that provides a total system output of 308 hp and 550 Nm of torque. When full charged, the C300e has a pure electric range of 100 kilometers based on the WLTP cycle.

Exclusive to Europe will be a base C180, which features the same 1.5-liter engine as the C200 but detuned to 167 hp and 250 Nm of torque. This is also a mild-hybrid powertrain, which means zero to 100 kph is achieved in a still decent 8.6 seconds all the way to a top speed of 231 kph.

Electrified four cylinder diesels will also be available in Europe in the form of the C200d, C220d, and C300d, all of which use the same 2.0-liter inline-4 diesel engines in different states of tune. Power figures range from 161 hp and 380 Nm for the base C200d all the way to 261 hp and 550 Nm for the C300d. The C300d goes from zero to 100 kph in just 5.7 seconds and has an electronically-limited 250 kph top speed.

The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will go on sale first in Europe this summer with pre-orders opening this March. The United States will follow suit, wherein the C-Class will go on sale by early 2022.