It seems that there’s an ongoing competition between the German big three luxury automakers as they are currently on a quest to outperform each other. With the BMW i3 already revealed about a month ago, we now have Mercedes-Benz’s answer to Munich’s all-electric evolution of the 3 Series. Say hello to the new, all-electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which gets a completely new look that sets it apart from the gas-powered model.
Like the electric GLC that Mercedes-Benz launched late last year, the new C-Class electric adopts a similarly bold exterior design. The front end is dominated by a large grille, which is illuminated by 1,050 LEDs. Speaking of LEDs, you’d better like the look of Mercedes-Benz’s three-pointed star, because you’ll see it everywhere, from the LED daytime running light pattern, all the way to the LED taillight’s graphics.
Elsewhere, the new C-Class electric has a sportier silhouette, as it adopts a fastback profile versus the more upright look of the gas-powered C-Class that will still be sold alongside it. The coupe-like silhouette, smooth bodywork, and tau proportions look more interesting to my eyes than the soap-like shape of the EQ models. Also interesting is its drag coefficient of 0.22 Cd, which is meant for maximum range.
Step inside the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class electric, and you’ll see the brand’s newest interpretation of the MBUX Hyperscreen. It’s a whopping 39.1 inches in size, and it occupies the entire dashboard. This is optional equipment, however, because what you get as standard is three segmented displays rather than one seamless screen. By default, the passenger’s screen isn’t configurable and only displays an animation, whereas the MBUX Superscreen version allows the passenger to tinker with it.
These screens are powered by the newest MB.OS software, which is capable of over-the-air (OTA) updates, as you would expect from a software-defined vehicle (SDV) these days. Even the MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO gets continually updated, especially as the company aims to make this suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) one of the most cutting-edge among its peers.
On the upside, despite the screen overload, the overall environment is truly luxurious. There’s plenty of leather or leatherette trims, along with satin silver surfaces rather than gloss black. Available optional luxury features are downright posh, such as front seats that give you a massage, along with a Burmester 4D sound system, a panoramic sunroof with 162 illuminated stars, and comprehensive ambient lighting.
At launch, the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class electric is going to be sold in C 400 form. This means that it’ll feature a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup that produces a whopping 482 horsepower and is good for a 0-100 kph time of just four seconds. The C-Class electric rides on the MB.EA bespoke electric vehicle (EV) architecture, which enables this vehicle to have a front trunk with more than 100 liters of space.
The MB.EA platform’s 800-volt electrical architecture allows for up to 330 kW of DC rapid charging, and this lets the C 400 add up to 325 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes. Oh, and remember that 0.22 Cd drag coefficient? Together with the efficient electric motors, the C 400 has a WLTP-rated range of 762 kilometers from its 94 kWh battery. Then again, the BMW i3 50 xDrive is even more impressive at 905 kilometers, so there’s that part, too. Expect rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions to be launched in the future, which should allow for even better efficiency and range.
Mercedes-Benz is doing its best to make the C-Class electric the sportiest and most comfortable C-Class ever, and this is thanks to features like rear-axle steering with up to 4.5 degrees of turning. The C-Class also has optional air suspension with predictive damping, which uses Car-to-X mapping data to already prepare the suspension before you hit a bump or enter a set of twisties.
North American customers will be the first to experience the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class electric, with this model set to arrive on their shores in the first half of 2027. Other regions will follow, though no timetable has been revealed yet. Will it arrive in the Philippines through its distributor, Inchcape? Here’s to hoping it gets offered in the future.
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