All-electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class with a range of 762 km unveiled (10 photos)
Mercedes-Benz's vacillations in positioning its electric vehicles have gradually led to their integration into the regular model lineup. Therefore, the all-electric C400 4Matic simply became another member of the C-Class, although the manufacturer itself saw fit to call it the sportiest model in the series. 
The car is built on an 800-volt architecture and offers a range of up to 762 km (472 mi) according to the WLTP cycle. This is the first fully electric C-Class, as previously the model was only offered in hybrid, gasoline, or diesel variants, with Mercedes-Benz reserving its experiments with electric propulsion for larger models. Connecting the electric vehicle to a 330 kW fast charging station allows for a range of up to 325 km in 10 minutes.
With a total output of 483 hp, the sedan can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under four seconds, a performance typical of many modern electric vehicles. Energy recovery is also supported—the traction battery can be used to power equipment or household appliances in the event of a power outage.
The use of electric traction didn't prevent Mercedes-Benz engineers from incorporating a two-stage gearbox for the rear axle of the new C-Class. One gearbox allows for maximum acceleration, while the second saves energy during steady cruising at high speeds. The front electric motor has a clutch that allows it to be disengaged to save energy. Technically, the car remains rear-wheel drive most of the time.
With detailed digital Google Maps, this electric car can pre-configure the stiffness of the optional Airmatic air suspension to suit the terrain, enhancing ride comfort. Furthermore, in higher-end trims, the car can be equipped with rear-wheel steering capable of 4.5 degrees of steering. Technically, the onboard assistants allow the car to automatically navigate the entire route set by the owner, but the practical availability of this capability will be determined by regulatory factors.
Even a few days before the announcement, the new C-Class's signature feature was its 39.1-inch display, stretching across the entire dashboard, but this design is only available in the higher trims. In lower trims, the display is divided into three sections, and the rightmost section has severely limited functionality. The display interface is built on the Unity game engine. An electrochromic panoramic roof is also installed, which can be completely dimmed and displays a "starry sky" effect using 162 LEDs. In higher-end trims, the sound system's speakers are integrated into the headrests. This not only improves the soundstage when listening to music but also ensures more private conversations when using the hands-free system. Several massage programs in the seats are designed to further enhance comfort, although these features have long been available in premium electric vehicles from Chinese manufacturers.
AI assistants are supported for voice interaction via ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini. The navigation system can calculate the optimal route based on energy consumption and traffic congestion—even taking into account wind direction and speed. Compared to the C-Class's internal combustion engine variant, the electric version has reduced the aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.24 to 0.22. The driver sees all necessary prompts on the head-up display near the windshield. Naturally, the onboard software will be constantly updated with over-the-air updates. Unlike many modern electric vehicles, the C-Class in this configuration can tow a trailer weighing up to 1.8 tons. The rear trunk holds up to 470 liters of cargo, while the traditional EV front trunk (under the hood) holds 101 liters. 
