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The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has gone electric, arriving here early next year as a 360kW dual-motor flagship ahead of 800km extended range and AMG variants.
Electric Cars
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the first-ever electric C-Class with EQ Technology, which will be sold alongside the current petrol-powered C-Class but promises to sit near the top of the sedan's hierarchy.
It is due in Australia early next year in an all-wheel-drive C400 4Matic variant, producing 360kW and 800Nm from dual electric motors, with a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 760km – more than a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (750km).
Prices are yet to be confirmed by Mercedes-Benz, but it is likely to cost more than the petrol C300 ($99,500 plus on-roads), but less than the current AMG C43 ($125,300 plus on-roads).
In Europe, the C400 is priced from about €70,000, which converts to around AUD$115,000, though full pricing details will be revealed closer to its local arrival in early 2027.
A rear-wheel-drive variant is due to arrive later next year, offering around 800km of claimed driving range – though still short of the dual-motor BMW i3's 900km WLTP – ahead of a high-end performance AMG version soon after.
With a 4.1-second claimed 0-100km/h sprint time, the electric C-Class outperforms the 300kW AMG C43 in acceleration by half a second, justifying its proximity in price to the AUD$125,300 car – and nears the output of the last 375kW V8 C63.
The C-Class EV is underpinned by the German manufacturer's new 800-volt platform, allowing for a 320-kilometre recharge in a claimed 10 minutes at a 350kW charger, among the fastest in Australia.
It also gets the new two-speed transmission mounted on the rear axle, as seen on the new GLC with EQ Technology.
This system utilises a short 11:1 ratio in first gear for strong pulling power and acceleration, while the 5:1 second gear ratio is designed to improve efficiency at sustained motorway speeds.
On 4Matic all-wheel-drive models, the front motor can be completely decoupled by a disconnect unit (clutch) when not needed, reducing front-axle energy losses by up to 90 per cent to maximise range.
Like the recently-launched CLA and GLC, the C-Class also claims up to 99 per cent of its braking can be completed by the electric motors' recuperation, not using the friction brakes, which aids range.
The company's Airmatic air suspension wrapped up with 4.5-degree rear-axle steering is an additional cost option, the rear steer reducing the turning circle to 11.2 metres, similar to a Toyota RAV4 family SUV.
The electric C-Class differs from its petrol range-mate in ditching the traditional saloon shape in favour of a coupe-like silhouette, featuring a low front end, a 'fastback' rear, and design cues similar to the GLC.
The front end is dominated by an illuminated grille containing 1050 illuminated dots, along with star-design headlights.
By utilising a dedicated electric architecture, engineers have stretched the wheelbase to 2962 millimetres, which translates to a claimed 12mm of extra legroom for front occupants compared to the petrol C-Class.
Headroom also sees a slight improvement thanks to the standard panoramic roof, which features nine segments that can be adjusted from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
There is the option of 162 illuminated stars for the glass roof as well, which can be matched to the interior colour scheme.
Storage is generous for an electric saloon, including a 470-litre boot and a waterproofed 101L under-bonnet area.
Inside, the C-Class is available with stitched leather grain upholstery, and trim elements ranging from natural fibre honeycomb to open-pore birchwood and AMG carbon-fibre.
A fully-certified 'vegan' synthetic interior is also offered as a no-cost option. The seats offer four-way electric lumbar support, heating, ventilation and massage functions, plus '4D sound' via body sound transducers in the backrests.
Buyers can option the 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, a pillar-to-pillar display incorporating the instrument and infotainment, and powered by the company's new MB.OS software that manages everything from multimedia to driving dynamics.
The MBUX Virtual Assistant, which now utilises AI from ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini, aims to make voice interactions feel like a conversation rather than a rigid machine, according to Mercedes-Benz.
The driver views an 18-inch augmented-reality head-up display and Surround Navigation, which uses 27 sensors and cameras to display a three-dimensional representation of the car's surroundings.
The navigation system is further refined by using the cloud to inform the active suspension of upcoming road imperfections and considering predicted wind conditions to provide more accurate energy forecasts.
The C-Class is also prepared for bi-directional charging, allowing the vehicle to not only draw power but also send energy back to the energy grid, or power a home.
More information about local pricing and model specifics on the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with EQ Technology will be revealed closer to its Australian launch next year.
Electric Cars Guide
Samantha has been obsessed with cars and combustion engines for most of her life, and has spent the past 25 years deep in the automotive and motorsport industries. An automotive awards judge, rally driver and motorsport tragic, she spends weekdays writing about cars and weekends off-road, off-grid or running amok at the track.
