Mercedes-Benz debuts all-hybrid C-Class

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

There's a new face for the C-Class but a lot more has been changed beneath the skin.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the all-new 5th-generation W206 C-Class, the first all-new C-Class in seven years.

While it may look like a subtle evolution on the outside, the new C-Class is arguably the most technologically-advanced vehicle from Mercedes-Benz yet, and is absolutely packed with new technology, including an optional “smart home” function that will allow owners to control various automated household functions via the MBUX system’s voice assistant.

The exterior gets a new look in line with the new S-Class and recently refreshed E-Class, with the headlights being more or less identical to those seen on the facelifted E-Class.

The C-Class has been given a small external update but quite a hefty one beneath the skin.

Inside is a new touch-centric steering wheel – again, like the E-Class – and a new 11.9-inch portrait infotainment screen integrated into the centre console, taken from the S-Class, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. All the screens run the latest MBUX operating system.

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The cabin has been updated with a portrait infotainment display and a new steering wheel.

There’s also fingerprint recognition, which lets the driver access some more in-depth features of MBUX, and lets them pay for various services. A Bang and Olufsen sound system is standard, as is over-the-air update functionality and augmented reality navigation.

The cabin has a bit more room too, courtesy of a 25mm bump in wheelbase. Legroom goes up by 20mm and headroom increases by 15mm. Outside dimensions are up by 65mm in length and 10mm in width.

Boot space remains at 455 litres for the sedan but the C-Class wagon can carry more than before, offering 490L with the seats up and 1510L with them down, an increase of 30 litres.

Tech is improved, as is the norm these days, with the optional Digital Light system coming to the C-Class from the S. This projects guidelines and warning symbols onto the road up ahead while offering dazzle-free illumination for oncoming traffic by splitting the light using no fewer than 1.3 million micro-mirrors per headlight module. LED headlights are standard too.

Under the bonnet is exclusively an electrified/turbocharged four-cylinder. The sole petrol engine is the M 254 2.0-litre engine, coming in a range of tunes spanning 125kW/250Nm to 190kW/400Nm. The only transmission is a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has a new turbocharger developed with help from its F1 team, which can increase output by 20kW on overboost.

As mentioned, the engine is electrified with Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild hybrid technology, which adds an extra 15kW/200Nm when the driver asks for it, as well as allowing the car to coast without the engine and smoother stop/start operation. It all works together for more fuel savings.

If you want to use even less oil, there is a plug-in hybrid option, called the C 300 e. It uses the same petrol engine with a larger electric motor and battery to generate a total of 230kW/550Nm. The plug-in has a 25.4kWh battery, enough for an electric-only range of 100km.

There’s also a diesel engine on offer but there’s no word on if it will make it to New Zealand. We'd wager on it not being offered.

We’ll know exactly what is offered by the fourth quarter of 2021, along with price and other final specifications.