Mercedes-Benz C-Class plug-in hybrid: C350e approved for sale in Australia
08/08/2024 04:00 PM
Mercedes-Benz recently received approval to sell the C350e plug-in hybrid sedan in Australia – but the brand says it remains under evaluation for our market.
The latest Mercedes-Benz C-Classplug-in hybrid could reach Australia after all, despite the brand’s claim it would focus on either petrol or electric vehicles – apart from AMG performance models.
Government approval documents show the latest W206-series C-Class sedan has now been approved for sale in Australia in C350e form, joining the existing C200, C300, AMG C43 4Matic, and AMG C63 S E-Performance 4Matic+ variants.
However, Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson Jerry Stamoulis told Drive the brand has "nothing new to announce" about the C-Class PHEV but it is "constantly evaluating the market" on all available models.
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At the media launch of the EQE electric sedan in May 2023, Stamoulis said Mercedes-Benz customers were asking for either petrol or battery-powered cars in Australia, with less demand for plug-in hybrids as its portfolio of electric offerings grows.
"I'll give you an example: For C-Class sedan and GLC mid-sized SUV, we've elected not to bring in plug-in hybrids to Australia. I guess that's the answer to your question," said Stamoulis.
"They are both fantastic plug-in hybrids with 100 kilometres of electric-only range, but the questions that we are being asked (by customers) is … it's either petrol or electric."
MORE: Mercedes-Benz is going cold on plug-in hybrids in Australia
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was offered in Australia in C350e and later C300e guises between 2015 and 2021 while standard versions of the A-Class, E-Class, GLC and GLE models have also been available with plug-in hybrid technology in recent years.
Plug-in hybrids recently returned to the Mercedes-Benz Australia line-up in top-of-the-line AMG 'E-Performance' vehicles – including the new C63 S, GLC 63 S, and AMG GT 63 S four-door.
The 2024 edition of the C350e – badged C300e in Europe – pairs a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with a 95kW/440Nm electric motor for a 230kW/550Nm total system output.
It is paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels, with a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery – bigger than original electric cars like the BMW i3 and Mitsubishi i-MiEV – enabling a WLTP-rated 117-kilometre electric-only driving range.
While the Mercedes-Benz C350e remains unconfirmed for Australia, it would join the limited-run Volvo S60 T8 Black Edition as a plug-in hybrid offering in the premium medium car segment, if it is ever offered locally.
The BMW 330e – the primary rival to the C350e globally – was axed at the start of 2024 after BMW Australia undertook an assessment of its product portfolio in response to customer demand.
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