After a long series of teasers and announcements, Mercedes-Benz has finally unveiled the next C-Class in North America. It sprints 0-96.6 km/h (0-60 mph) in four seconds flat and does 762 km (473 miles) on a charge. Sales should start soon, but all dates and pricing details are pending.
If you’ve seen the German automaker’s other recent releases, you won’t be too surprised by the new C-Class. The saloon resembles the GLC Coupe in places, rocking a backlit fake grille at the front, tri-point star headlights, a low-drag body and door handles installed flush with the panels. It comes in at 4,883 mm (192.2 inches) long with a wheelbase spanning 2,962 mm (116.6 inches). Wheels are available in sizes from 18 to 20 inches, and the minimum trunk volume amounts to 470 liters (16.6 cubic feet).
The first thing you notice inside is a humongous, nearly 40-inch large Hyperscreen display stretching almost the entire width of the dashboard. It acts as a digital gauge cluster, an infotainment display and a front passenger’s screen all at once. Pick a lower trim, and you’ll get a simplified Superscreen arrangement of three individual displays.
Regardless of your choice, physical buttons will be scarce. There are several on the steering wheel spokes, a few more on the tunnel, and that’s it.
In terms of high-tech features, Mercedes promises things like an advanced HVAC system with rapid temperature adjustment, a high-end ADAS package using data from 27 sensors, up to 11 safety airbags and a panoramic roof composed of nine individually dimmable sections.
Current buyers will be limited to just one powertrain. It comprises two e-motors sending a combined 489 PS (482 hp / 360 kW) to the wheels while developing up to 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. A 94-kWh battery pack regains 325 kilometers (202 miles) of range after 10 minutes of charging from a sufficiently powerful source. Air suspension, adaptive shocks and rear-wheel steering are all mentioned in the equipment list.
Moving forward, Mercedes plans to introduce an entry-level C-Class sedan with just one motor and add further battery size options. A long-wheelbase variant of the EV is already in development for China.
