Mercedes Benz is bringing plug-in hybrids (PHEV) back to the more affordable end of its Australian range, starting with its long-term C-Class sedan.
A Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson has confirmed that the C350e will return to local showrooms in the first half of 2025, marking the first time the current-generation C-Class has been offered as a PHEV since its local arrival in 2022.
The German premium carmaker had opted not to extend the life of its previous-generation predecessor while discontinuing the PHEV versions of the GLC and E-Class, but an increase in PHEV sales overall this year and a cooling of the electric vehicle (EV) market has led to this change.
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It’s worth noting that you can currently buy a C-Class PHEV, provided you spend almost $200,000 on the high-performance flagship Mercedes-AMG C 63 SE Performance.
Australian government approval documents reveal that the C350e will mirror the specifications of the European C300e.
This means a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 150kW and 320Nm, mated to a 95kW/440Nm electric motor, taking combined peak power to 230kW and 550Nm.
For reference: the existing C300, which operates without an electric motor, produces up to 190 kW and 400 Nm.
European examples of what will be called the C350e in Australia will pair their petrol engines with a nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission, while the electric motor is powered by a 25.4 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The claimed range for electric-only driving is 117 km, based on the European WLTP laboratory test cycle.
It’s not yet clear whether the equipment list will match that of the current non-AMG C-Class flagship, the C300, which starts at $96,900 before on-road costs – a price that the C350e will almost certainly overshadow.
The arrival of the C350e also anticipates Australia’s looming emissions regulations in the form of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), due to come into effect in 2025.
The NVES effectively forces manufacturers to bring more electrified options, including hybrids (ranging from mild to plug-in) and electric vehicles, to Australia, rather than treating the local market as a ‘dump yard’ for cheaper to produce and higher emissions.
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