C350 e sets the family standard for punch and parsimony

ELECTRIC enhancement for Mercedes’ entry sedan, the C-Class, has just stepped up, with arrival of a plug-in hybrid version the local distributor holds strong hope for.

Combining a big battery, a more efficient electric motor and a detuned version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol in the C300 that has stood as the top choice C-Class since the new generation launched at the start of this year, the C350 e has been signalled as a ‘best of both worlds’ edition.

That’s on strength of its ability to operate extensively as an electric vehicle – a function denied the C200 and C300 that sit below it on the pricing ladder and restrict to 48-volt energy recuperation systems - yet also provisions the versatility to switch to a 230kW petrol-fed sports sedan at will.

This talent, the outputs and the price it holds places it in a flagship role until the new generation of the traditional tribal leader, the AMG C63, arrives on the scene.

Mercedes Benz NZ has yet to announce introduction timing for the performance variant, which now also undergoes radical change – losing its historic V8 for a four-cylinder and electric-assisted powertrain – and, like the C350 e, appears to have been held back until now by the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.

Pricing for the C350 e starts at $111,200 – so, $9000 above the C300 - which means it’s ineligible for the Clean Car rebate, but still doesn’t incur a fee because of its drivetrain’s efficiency.

WLTP testing suggests it can eke up to 100km on the electric drive alone – which is double its predecessor’s real-world driving distance – before the petrol engine takes over and delivers up to 600km range.

Optimal economy is also much leaner than from the C200 and C300; whereas the pure petrols achieve 6.9 and 7.3 litres per 100km according to Benz calculation, the C350 e cites a WLTP combined consumption figure of between 0.7 and 1.1 litres per 100km, depending on the options plonked into the car. It also only emits between 14 and 24 grams of CO2 per kilometre when all systems are operating in best-use application.

The C350 e makes outputs of 150kW/320 Nm from its engine, and 95kW/440Nm from its motor, with Mercedes claiming the electric’s torque “is available right from the start, resulting in high agility when moving off”.

Full electric power is available up to 140kmh, says Mercedes, “at which point it is softly capped”.

The battery is the reason why. With a total capacity of 25.4kWh, it is a much more powerful unit than that in preceding C350 e, which had just 13.5kWh of energy storage, or the original, that restricted to Europe (6.2kWh).

It can be fully charged in about 30 minutes with a 55kW DC charger, but that facility is an option. As standard, the car will charge at up to 11kW on an AC connection. To achieve the bigger hit means taking the optional Charging Package Plus, costing $1300. This package also bumps AC charging to a maximum of 22kW.

To account for the high energy density, it is equipped with an internal cooling system and has been packaged to have its own protection system, yet it avoids the stepped floor of the last-generation C-Class PHEV, though boot capacity nonetheless reduces.

The system has three stages of regeneration in the EV mode, controlled by paddles on the steering wheel, and it has its own graphics on the multimedia displays to demonstrate range, energy consumption and the like.

Over urban drives, the C 350e will prioritise the EV mode. In Europe it makes use of real-time traffic reports, topographical data and mapping to decide which powertrain to use at any given time. How much of that functionality will work here has yet to be explained.

The edition has the same full suite of safety and driver assist systems used by the C200 and C300 including the active cruise control that automatically stops from up to 100kmh, lane keeping systems, active steering systems, rear-axle steering and an airbag in the rear of the front seats to prevent the front occupants banging their heads together.

Comfort suspension with self-levelling rear suspension is standard, as are leather upholstery, privacy glass and the driving assistance package plus.

As much as it represents significant advancement, C350 e will ultimately be regarded will less interest than the swathe of additional new fully electric cars Benz is set to soon place into the national scene.

While the brand’s Mt Wellington headquarters is remaining quiet, it’s evident an operation which has just altered its sales strategy to an agency – therefore, factory direct – process is ramping up for a big battery-pure charge, that will add many more EQ choices to the current selection of three models – EQA, EQC and AMG EQS 53.

Also on the arrivals list are the seven-seat EQB, an EQV people-mover, the eVito delivery van, the EQE large sedan and EQS, in flagship liftback and sports utility formats. And EQE sports utility about to make its global debut is also a likely showroom arrival sometime next year.