Mercedes adds C300e plug-in hybrid

PLUG-IN hybrid power has re-joined the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range in Australia with the addition of a petrol-electric C300e sedan that delivers superior performance and battery-only range to its C350e predecessor and is priced $3300 higher at $79,200 plus on-road costs.

The addition of the C300e headlines a revised C-Class line-up for the 2020 model year that also includes a limited-run C200 Sport Edition grade on sedan coupe body styles, featuring equipment upgrades and driveaway pricing. The same package is available as a $7700 option on the wagon.

Price rises of between $723 and $1941 have been applied across the range, with every variant gaining a live traffic update upgrade to their integrated satellite navigation systems.

Unlike the C350e that was available on both a sedan and wagon of the pre-facelift C-Class, the new C300e is sedan-only. Its 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack is capable of a 52km electric-only driving range, a significant step up from the 31km offered by its predecessor’s 6.2kWh pack.

The increased range helps reduce combined fuel consumption to 2.1 litres per 100km, compared with 2.4L/100km from the C350e, while total drivetrain output of 235kW/700Nm – an increase of 30kW and 100Nm – reduces 0-100km/h acceleration time by half a second, to 5.4s.

A full recharge using the Type 2 connector takes seven hours using a domestic power outlet or two hours using an optional wall box charger.

Because the C300e’s high-voltage systems also power the air-conditioning and heater, cabin temperature can be pre-conditioned while the car is plugged in, reducing the energy required to provide cabin comfort once on the move.

Also helping save energy is predictive technology that combines data from the sat-nav, radar and cameras to optimise drivetrain energy usage and regenerative braking.

The C300e comes standard with air suspension, adaptive cruise control with predictive speed adjustment for corners, junctions and roundabouts, leather upholstery and keyless entry with push-button start including hands-free boot opening.

A major change to C200 variants is discontinuation of the 135kW/280Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine in favour of a 2.0-litre unit developing 150kW of power and 300Nm of torque.

The sprint from 0-100km/h is now completed in 7.1 seconds – six tenths quicker than before – but the extra performance comes with a 9.4 per cent increase in fuel consumption, to 7.0 litres per 100km.

C200 Sport Editions add adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, panoramic glass roof, heated front seats with position memory, rear privacy glass and 19-inch AMG alloy wheels. Sedans also gain adaptive high beam and both sedan and wagon get the AMG Line exterior styling pack.

These upgrades cost the equivalent of $7700 over the base C200 sedan and wagon, or $7200 on the C200 coupe that already has the adaptive high beam and styling pack as standard. Driveaway pricing is only offered on the Sport Edition sedan and coupe.

2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs

**Driveaway

2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs

2019 Mercedes-AMG C63 S pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs