Mercedes-Benz will continue its hard pivot away from the ultra-aerodynamic EQ electric era by putting an electric C-Class sedan into production with classical three-box styling—albeit with one big twist.
On the eve of this year’s IAA Munich motor show, Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola Källenius confirmed to media that the Stuttgart-based marque will build an adaptation of the C-Class on the brand’s MBEA platform that also underpins the GLC Electric revealed earlier today.
Pictured: the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
In an analogous situation to the GLC, the forthcoming battery electric (BEV) C-Class will not be related under the skin to the W206 petrol/hybrid version of the ‘C’ that has been on sale in Australia since 2023.
Following tepid sales of Mercedes-Benz’s series of EQ-badged electric vehicles, which became known for their hardcore aerodynamic aesthetics, the brand is switching its ‘core vehicle’ strategy toward more familiar styling and well-known names no matter the powertrain source.
Pictured: the petrol Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Released alongside the confirmation of the C-Class EV was a sole teaser image that reveals one controversial element to the design of the BMW i4 rival: the same ultra-prominent chrome front grille as the GLC Electric, and seemingly at similar scale.
As well as the existing BMW i4, other key rivals to the C-Class EV will include the segment-leading Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, the expected Audi A4 e-tron, and BMW’s forthcoming ‘Neue Klasse’ i3 sedan.
“With our new, dedicated Electric Architectures for core vehicles, customers will get perfect proportions on the outside and maximum space on the inside, along with superior driving dynamics,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson said.
The teaser image also reveals a three-pointed star pattern for the daytime running lights of the C-Class EV, plus a chrome-trimmed daylight opening sitting just ahead of a rounded rear haunch that implies aero styling may not be entirely dead and buried.
The electric efficiency of the C-Class EV is said to be superior to that of the GLC with a target of more than 800km of driving range (WLTP) comparing to 713km, the maximum range of the GLC400.
Like the GLC Electric and the company’s new CLA BEV, the C-Class Electric is expected to utilise a 94kWh (usable) nickel manganese cobalt battery pack. A coast-to-coast Hyperscreen is also likely to carry across from GLC to C-Class.
Pictured: the Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric
The electrical architecture underpinning the MBEA platform is capable of 800-volt charging. The related GLC can charge at up to 330kW, while that car’s GLC400 launch powertrain is a 360kW, dual-motor AWD vehicle.
Expect to see a mix of rear-wheel drive and dual-motor AWD versions of the electric C-Class—including eventual AMG models.
Precise release timing for the C-Class Electric has not yet been confirmed. Prototype versions continue to be tested on European roads, implying a possible production vehicle reveal in 2026.
