NEWCARS Mercedes C 300 e Alex Ingram
Alex_Ingram@autovia.co.uk @AxleIngram
MANY people might be sceptical about plug-in hybrids, which can seem like a halfway house between a standard ICE car and a fully electric option, without really reaping the benefits of either. But this new Mercedes C 300 e feels like one of the least compromised PHEVs around. Many other plug-ins lack the electriconly range to offset the fact that their heavy battery often takes a toll on the ICE unit’s efficiency. Not so the Mercedes. That’s because it has a 25.4kWh battery, which is larger than the unit in the original Nissan Leaf. Officially, that means a range of up to 68 miles, and we saw an impressive 60 miles in real-world conditions. The electric motor has the grunt to get by in most everyday situations, too. It produces 128bhp and 440Nm of torque, with great
Merce
FIRST DRIVE Do long el
Essentials Mercedes C 300 e AMG Line Price: Engine: Power/torque: Transmission:
0-62mph: Top speed: Economy/CO2: Electric range:
£46,310 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol + e-motor 309bhp/550Nm Nine-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive 6.1 seconds 152mph 470mpg/13g/km 68 miles
ONSALE Now
INTERIOR The cabin boasts a super-slick 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with lots of functionality, plus the materials and build feel good. AMG Line trim features 18-inch alloy wheels (above)
PRACTICALITY Boot space drops by 140 litres to 315 litres for the C 300 e, due to the location of the PHEV’s battery pack. However, there’s plenty of room inside the rear of the cabin, so the C-Class is comfortable
Cabin is the same as in any C-Class, feeling more contemporary than BMW 3 Series 24 1 June 2022
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