- The C-Class EQ will use the Mercedes MB.EA architecture with 800-volt tech.
- Mercedes will likely offer battery options ranging from 64 kWh to 94 kWh.
- Early estimates indicate the C-Class EQ will have a driving range of 450 miles.
Hot on the heels of the new all-electric BMW i3, we can now turn our attention to its upcoming rival, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ. Due for an April reveal, it will go head-to-head with the electric 3-Series, drawing on much of the same technology and drivetrain hardware as the GLC EQ.
See: BMW’s Most Traditional Sedan Becomes Its Most Futuristic Yet With New i3
As with the i3, which will be sold alongside a combustion 3-Series, the C-Class EQwon’t replace the gas-powered model but exist alongside it. Prototypes have been spotted testing for months, and a few journalists have already had early drives in production-intent cars.
Visually, the biggest departure from the ICE version comes at the front. The EV is expected to feature an illuminated grille made up of hundreds of LEDs, much like the GLC EQ, as shown in these renderings created by Nikita Chuyko for Kolesa. Large grilles remain a divisive choice, and this one is unlikely to settle the debate, but it will certainly give the electric C-Class a distinct presence on the road.
A More Aero Shape
During recent prototype testing, Autocar observed that the front end sits more upright than the current C-Class, while the rear window is set at a noticeably steeper angle. That extended rear glass is also reflected in these illustrations, giving the sedan a vibe reminiscent of the much-criticized EQS and EQE.
Read: Mercedes-AMG Turns Electric C-Class Up To 11, Power Up To 800 HP
Unlike those models, however, Mercedes appears to be edging back toward a more conventional silhouette, complete with a longer hood, as it gradually moves away from its more experimental EQ design language.
It also sits lower than the combustion version and stretches out slightly, with a larger footprint overall. The payoff is more cabin room, helped by a longer wheelbase and wider tracks.
Prototype of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class EQ (Photos SHProshots)
Underpinning the new sedan will be Mercedes-Benz’s MB.EA architecture, also used by the GLC EQ, features 800-volt technology. The platform is expected to support a two-speed transmission to improve efficiency and performance, along with available rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension borrowed from higher-end models.
Power And Driving Range
Full powertrain details have yet to be confirmed, but the lineup is likely to mirror the GLC EQ, with battery packs ranging from 64 kWh to 94 kWh.
According to AutoExpress, one of the launch models will be the C 400 4MATIC Electric, offering up to 450 miles (724 km) of range on the WLTP cycle. That is short of the 559 miles (900 km) quoted for the i3, but it still puts the Mercedes among the more longer-range contenders in the segment. Charging should be competitive as well, with a peak DC rate of 330 kW. Not quite the i3’s 400 kW ceiling, but more than sufficient in everyday use.
Power comes from a dual-motor setup producing around 482 hp and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque, paired with all-wheel drive. Expect a 0-62 mph time of under 4.5 seconds. Pricing is projected to fall between $50,000 and $60,000, with a full market launch slated for late 2026.
