Mercedes-Benz C 350e Plug-in Hybrid debuts at 2015 Geneva Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz brought its C 350e plug-in hybrid to the European stage at Geneva, highlighting a 275 bhp combined output, 31 km electric range and sub-50 g/km CO2 emissions.
Mercedes-Benz presented the C 350e plug-in hybrid to European audiences at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, following its world premiere at Detroit in January. The C 350e is the brand’s second production plug-in hybrid, arriving after the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, and marks the first of eight planned plug-in models Mercedes-Benz intends to launch over three years.
Plug-in hybrid powertrain details
The C 350e combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, shared with the C 250, producing 208 bhp (155 kW) and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) of torque, with an 80 bhp (60 kW) electric motor delivering a further 251 lb-ft (340 Nm). Together, the system produces a total of 275 bhp (205 kW) and 442 lb-ft (599 Nm). Power is sent to the rear wheels through a modified 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission.
Performance figures put the C 350e saloon at 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 250 km/h. The estate version is marginally slower, reaching 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds and a maximum of 246 km/h. Both variants retain the C-Class’s rear-wheel-drive layout.
Battery, charging and electric range
A water-cooled 6.2 kWh lithium-ion battery provides the C 350e’s electric power. The battery adds 100 kg to the car and reduces boot capacity by 15 litres compared to conventional models. Charging from a 240V/16A supply takes 1 hour 45 minutes, or two hours from a 240V/13A socket. Mercedes-Benz quotes an electric-only range of 31 km (19.3 miles), suitable for short urban commutes on battery power alone.
Position in the Mercedes-Benz range
The C 350e is the first C-Class to feature a plug-in hybrid system and forms part of Mercedes-Benz’s wider strategy to expand its electrified line-up. The model sits below the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, which uses a V6 petrol engine, while the C 350e opts for a smaller four-cylinder to balance performance and efficiency. The new “e” suffix denotes Mercedes-Benz’s plug-in hybrid models, a naming convention the company plans to use as it rolls out further electrified variants.
Impact for buyers and market context
With CO2 emissions below 50 g/km and a usable electric range, the C 350e is positioned to appeal to company car drivers and private buyers seeking lower running costs and tax advantages. The Geneva launch brings the model to European showrooms, following its initial reveal in the US. Mercedes-Benz’s plan to introduce more plug-in hybrids will see the C 350e joined by additional electrified models across its range in the following years.
For a look at Mercedes-Benz’s earlier plug-in hybrid efforts, see the S500 Plug-in Hybrid’s Frankfurt debut.
