New electric C-Class debuts as C 400 4MATIC Electric. Mercedes claims it’s the sportiest C-Class ever built. US gets launch first with other markets following later. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new fully electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class, transforming one of its most important global nameplates into a battery-powered rival for BMW’s Neue Klasse i3. Visually, the new C-Class Electric adopts a sportier, more streamlined design than the combustion model, which is exactly what you’d expect from a car with a 0.22 Cd chasing maximum range. Mercedes describes it as having a coupe-like silhouette, but at the same time it looks more shapely and more interesting than the bigger electric-only EQE and EQS. Let’s hope buyers think so, because that pair have flopped hard. Related: Mercedes-AMG Turns Electric C-Class Up To 11, Power Up To 800 HP The front end is dominated by an illuminated grille with 1,050 individual light elements, while both the front DRLS and the rear lights encased on the transverse black panel feature Benz’s iconic star motif. That rear end, in particular, takes design cues from the 2025 Concept GT XX. But it’s inside is where Mercedes has made the boldest design statement. The available 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen dominates the dashboard, bringing flagship-level digital hardware into the sports sedan segment. The glass-covered display stretches across the cabin and uses matrix backlighting with more than 1,000 individually adjustable LED zones. Mercedes says it creates a more immersive environment while allowing separate information and entertainment functions for driver and passenger. It’s an interesting contrast with the new BMW i3, which has only a relatively small tablet touchscreen, and places the rest of the information in a strip at the base of the windshield. The cabin also delivers more luxury than previous C-Class generations. Available front seats give massage, ventilation, lumbar adjustment, and integrated 4D sound functions. Buyers can also choose a panoramic roof featuring 162 illuminated stars that change color with the ambient lighting system. Mercedes obviously wants the new EV C-Class to feel like a scaled-down S-Class rather than simply an electrified fleet sedan. Zero To 60 MPH In 3.9 Seconds Powering the car in launch C400 form is a pair of electric motors delivering a combined 482 hp (489 PS / 360 kW). It’s the same basic setup found in the GLC 400 4Matic revealed last fall, but while the SUV needs over 4 seconds to hit 60 mph (97 kmh), the C 400 can do the job in 3.9 seconds. Mercedes claims a maximum WLTP range of up to 473 miles (762 km) from the 94 kWh usable battery, which would be excellent if BMW hadn’t just revealed that the i3 is rated at up to 562 miles (905 km). Still, the C 400 should offer an EPA range in excess of 400 miles (644 km) and Mercedes says the car can recover up to 325 km (202 miles) of range in just 10 minutes at a compatible high-output DC fast charger. Rear-Axle Steering Under its fenders the C 400 features available air suspension, predictive damping that uses Car-to-X and mapping data to prepare for road conditions, and rear-axle steering with up to 4.5 degrees of movement. That drops the turning circle to 11.2 meters (36.7 feet), improving agility in urban environments while potentially boosting stability at speed. Related: ICE C-Class Facelift Mirrors A Direction Mercedes Has Already Taken Elsewhere Software is now central to the ownership experience, and this model runs the latest MB.OS platform. That enables over-the-air updates, AI-powered voice assistance with memory, augmented-reality navigation, and the optional MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO. Technically it’s only a Level 2 system (Mercedes is backing away from Level 3 autonomy even on the S-Class) but the automaker says it allows point-to-point assisted driving, even in dense urban traffic. America Gets First Dibs Another notable detail is launch timing. Mercedes says the market introduction begins in the United States, with other regions following depending on local regulatory approval. That US-first rollout suggests the company sees major opportunity in a market where premium EV sedan choices remain relatively limited. We still need to know key details about the C 400’s price, power output, kerb weight and standard equipment, plus the lowdown on the tri-motor AMG version currently in development. But there might be enough here to make you think twice before jumping into a three-year relationship with a BMW i3. Which gets your vote, or would you take the facelifted combustion C-Class coming soon? Mercedes
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