Mercedes-Benz is taking the fight to the new BMW i3 with its own electric C-Class, with a full reveal slated for April 20 in Korea. To whet our appetites, Stuttgart is showing off the interior of its new compact executive sedan first – and it derives plenty from its GLC EV sibling. The dashboard is entirely carried over from the SUV, which means you get a fully-flat glass panel that houses an array of screens. If the GLC is any indication, you can expect the choice of an MBUX Superscreen with a 10.3-inch instrument display and twin 14-inch infotainment touchscreens for the centre and front passenger, as well as the massive, uninterrupted 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen you see here. The latter spans from pillar to pillar and features matrix backlighting for greater contrast, similar to the i3. Bookending this huge display are round corner air vents, while the bottom edge is outlined by ambient lighting and rectangular centre vents. Twin Qi wireless chargers, a handful of physical buttons and twin cupholders arranged fore and aft top a tall, sloping centre console – again repeated from the GLC. Mercedes claims that the dedicated electrical architecture provides more space than ever before, with the front passengers sitting on optional “high-end” seats with memory, four-way lumbar adjustment, ventilation, backrest massage and even a “4D” rumble function in concert with the sound system. Speaking of which, the speaker grilles – made from stainless steel with the Burmester 3D surround sound system selected – comes with a new linear design with a “three-dimensional relief.” There are more high-grade materials that can be found elsewhere, as the company seeks to reestablish its reputation of quality after some dubious recent models. Even base models get “Softtorino” leather grain upholstery, while Nappa leather with “Twisted Diamond” perforation and an AMG Line version with moccasin side bolster stitching are on the options list. You can also choose from a number of decor variants such as open-pore natural fibre and birch wood trims and even carbon fibre. On the flip side, the C-Class EV joins the GLC EV in being the second vehicle to have a vegan interior certified by The Vegan Society. The Vegan Package, as it’s so called, provides non-animal-derived soft-touch surfaces for the seat upholstery, headliner, pillars, door panels and carpeting. Elsewhere, the C-Class EV is available with a Sky Control panoramic glass roof with a segmented electrochromic frosting function and 162 illuminated stars as part of the ambient lighting. There are also lots of noise-dampening features such as standard-fit double-glazed front side windows, extensive sound insulation, decoupling elastomer suspension mounts, quieter motors and a revised air-con unit. The C-Class EV will feature the same 800-volt electrical architecture as the GLC EV, enabling DC fast charging at up to 330 kW. Also expected to be ported over is the 489 PS (360 kW) dual-motor powertrain from the GLC400, as well as a 94 kWh NMC battery. Mercedes quotes a WLTP range figure of 800 km, which is significantly further than the GLC’s 713 km – although not quite as far as the i3, which boasts 900 km from its larger 108.7 kWh pack. Looks wise, the C-Class EV will be a departure from the current petrol model with its massive silver grille – once again lifted from the GLC EV – with illuminated “pixels”. There are also the usual naff stars in the headlights (and surely the taillights, too) and a six-window glasshouse with a lengthened rear roofline, the latter being uncomfortably reminiscent of Mercedes’ ill-fated EQE and EQS sedans. Hopefully the car won’t look as contrived when it gets unveiled on Monday. Compare prices between different insurer providers to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services. Many payment method supported and you can pay with instalment using Atome, Grab PayLater or Shopee SPayLater. Use the promo code 'PAULTAN' when you checkout for 10% discount!
+4 others
