Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially previewed its first fully electric C-Class, offering an alternative to the conventional petrol-powered C-Class sedan. This is Stuttgart’s answer to the BMW i3.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC electric AMG Line Plus comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup producing 415hp and 800Nm of torque. It also boasts a driving range of up to 690km on the WLTP cycle and supports up to 320kW DC fast charging.
The electric C-Class also introduces several features including a massive 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, an illuminated front grille and a panoramic glass roof with 162 illuminated stars.
Mercedes-Benz C300 Electric Malaysia estimated price and availability
The all-new Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC electric AMG Line Plus is now available for pre-booking in Malaysia with the following estimated pricing:
- Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC electric AMG Line Plus – RM360,888
The estimated price is for Peninsular Malaysia and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has yet to announce the final retail price or official delivery date.
Interestingly, the vehicle showcased during today’s preview was the C 400 Electric rather than the C 300 4MATIC electric AMG Line Plus offered for pre-booking. The preview vehicle features 19-inch wheels and a triple-display MBUX Superscreen instead of the seamless 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen specified for the Malaysian C 300 Electric.
For those interested in financing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is also offering its Agility+ financing programme with estimated monthly instalments starting from RM3,988.
The package includes a fifth-year Star Gold extended limited warranty and four Compact Service Packages. The Agility+ programme also offers flexible end-of-agreement options and a guaranteed future value for the vehicle. The monthly repayment is subject to prevailing interest rates and applicable terms and conditions.
If you’re interested, you can register your interest through the Mercedes-Benz Malaysia website.
Mercedes-Benz C300 Malaysia Specs and Features
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 4MATIC electric is built on a dedicated electric vehicle architecture and features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup producing 310kW (415hp) and 800Nm of torque.
It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 210km/h. The electric C-Class also features a two-speed transmission on the rear axle, designed to provide strong acceleration at lower speeds while maintaining efficiency during highway cruising.
To further improve efficiency, the front electric motor can be disconnected when additional power or traction is not required. Mercedes-Benz says this reduces losses on the front axle by up to 90%.
Powering the electric C-Class is an 85kWh usable 800V battery which offers a driving range of up to 690km on the WLTP cycle.
Based on an 800V electrical architecture, it supports DC fast charging at up to 320kW. According to Mercedes-Benz, a 10-80% charge takes just 22 minutes, while a 10-minute charging session can add up to 290km of WLTP-rated range under ideal conditions.
For AC charging, the C 300 Electric comes equipped with a 22kW onboard charger, which can fully charge the battery from 0-100% in an about 4.5 hours.
In terms of dimensions, the electric C-Class has a wheelbase of 2,962mm, which is 97mm longer than the conventional petrol-powered C-Class sedan. Mercedes-Benz says the dedicated EV platform provides additional legroom and headroom for occupants.
Despite its fastback-inspired design, the electric C-Class offers 470 litres of rear boot space. If that’s not enough, it also has a frunk that offers an additional 101-litre of storage capacity.
This EV has a kerb weight of 2,415kg which is significantly heavier than the BMW i3 50 xDrive (equipped with 108.7kWh battery) at 2,205 kg.
For the Malaysian market, the C 300 Electric comes in AMG Line Plus trim. Exterior highlights include 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, Digital Light headlamps, an illuminated Mercedes-Benz grille and star emblem, as well as the Night Package with high-gloss black exterior accents.
It also gets an AMG rear spoiler lip and animated Mercedes-Benz pattern projection lighting. Mercedes-Benz claims the electric C-Class has a drag coefficient rating starting from 0.22 Cd.
Inside, one of the biggest highlights is the 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen which stretches across the dashboard. Unlike the triple-display Superscreen fitted to the C 400 Electric shown at the preview, the Hyperscreen provides a seamless display surface across the dashboard.
The display uses matrix backlight technology with over 1,000 individual LEDs and features separate brightness controls for different display areas.
The infotainment system runs on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), featuring Google Maps-based navigation with Electric Intelligence for planning routes with charging stops.
The Malaysian-spec vehicle also comes with MBUX Augmented Reality Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, dual wireless smartphone chargers and a built-in selfie and video camera.
Another highlight is the Sky Control panoramic roof, which features nine independently adjustable glass segments that can switch between transparent and opaque settings. The roof also features 162 illuminated stars, with customisable colours that complement the cabin’s ambient lighting.
Other interior equipment includes heated front sports seats with black leather upholstery and red contrast stitching, red seat belts, a nappa leather multifunction sports steering wheel, acoustic glass and dual-zone Thematic automatic climate control.
In terms of driver assistance, the electric C-Class comes equipped with MB.Drive Assist, which supports steering assistance and partially automated driving. It also includes MB.Drive Parking Assist 360 with a surround-view camera system.
Additional safety equipment includes rear side airbags, Guard 360 vehicle protection, a dashcam, tyre pressure monitoring and an acoustic warning system for pedestrians at speeds of up to 30km/h.
The electric C-Class comes with comfort suspension featuring a passive damping system, rather than an air suspension setup.
During the event, Mercedes-Benz has also hinted that the electric C-Class will be locally produced as the first batch of vehicles would be imported as part of a CKD bridging programme. At the moment, the brand has CKD production in Pekan, Pahang.
