The latest generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class has received its world premiere as the all-new electric saloon gears up to do battle with the BMW i3 in the compact executive segment.
A veritable lynchpin of the German marque’s range, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of its most popular and most important models, making this unveiling a significant milestone for the three-pointed star.
Significantly, the C-Class has evolved into an all-electric model having been available previously with the choice of petrol, diesel and as a plug-in hybrid.
The latest step by Mercedes-Benz to merge its electric line of models – which have been distinguished by the EQ nomenclature – into the wider range, the C-Class follows on from the zero emission CLA and is built on its new MB.EA platform.
By being electric, the C-Class is therefore directly targeted at the all-new BMW i3 revealed earlier this year as Mercedes-Benz and BMW’s notorious rivalry prepares to enter a new technologically advanced era.
Nameplate aside, the new C-Class represents a bold step into new territory for Mercedes-Benz and while the latest design has all the hallmarks of the previous generations, it’s otherwise an entirely new car from the ground-up.
From the outset, the C-Class gets a lavish curvy look versus the more dynamic appearance of the i3, a design distinguished by the 1050 little lights that make up Mercedes-Benz’s new illuminated grille and prominent badging, plus stylised three-pointed lighting motifs front and rear.
Boasting a sleek shape curated for aerodynamic efficiency, it leads into a gently sloping rear window that gives the C-Class the appearance of a four-door coupe or a rakish fastback.
Mercedes-Benz ‘Hyperscreen’ is a Wild Take on Interior Design
The surprises aren’t just confined to the exterior either, with the Mercedes C-Class becoming the latest model in the manufacturer’s portfolio to receive its wild ‘Hyperscreen’ set-up.
Hyperscreen – which will remain a paid option – comprises a triple-screen set-up that can be merge into one enormous screen that stretches the width of the entire dashboard.
Selecting the 39.1-inch treatment will allow front passengers to use streaming services, play games and control various in-car systems when the car is in motion.
If not, the C-Class ‘makes do’ with a Superscreen instead, which has the same layout but is split into three separate screens.
Beyond the dashboard, Mercedes-Benz have prioritised comfort and atmosphere with the inclusion of ambient lighting, a premium Burmester sound system and seating that boasts massaging functions, ventilation and 4D sound.
There is also a glass roof featuring ‘Sky Control’, which allows sections of the roof to be made opaque, or it can be set to resemblance a night sky complete with twinkling stars.
The C-Class will come with Mercedes’ acclaimed operating system, known as MB.OS, which features its MBUX Virtual Assistant, an AI that can handle ‘complex conversation with memory’.
What Range does the New Mercedes C-Class Have?
After BMW snatched headlines by revealing its new i3 is capable of travelling up to 574-miles on a single charge, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class chimes in with a claim of 472-miles for the dual-motor C400 model.
More than 200-miles of range can be added in just 10-minutes of recharging at a rate of 300kW.
While this sees the C-Class come in below the i3, much can be attributed to its smaller 94.5kWh battery (compared with the i3’s 112kWh battery), but the Mercedes can claim to be more powerful with 482bhp on tap.
Indeed, Mercedes-Benz is promising the C-Class with a sportier flavour than previous models, which would be considered the more refined limo-like choice versus its dynamically sharper BMW and Audi rivals.
However, while the C-Class comes with ‘comfort suspension’ as standard, there is an optional ‘Agility and Comfort’ package which adds Mercedes’ Airmatic air-suspension with protective damping, plus rear-wheel steer.
Full pricing and specification for UK-bound versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be communicated in due course, but the new model is set Vertu Mercedes dealerships later in the year
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- Mercedes
- Electric
- New Cars