Mercedes’ Electric C-Class Will Have Even More Range Than We Thought

• The C400 EV starts at €67,711 in Germany and a fully-loaded example will cost over €96,000.
• Mercedes confirmed that a cheaper, longer-range, single-motor variant is coming soon.
• Additional C-Class EV variants are planned, including a tri-motor AMG model with active aero.

Mercedes-Benz unveiled pricing for the electric C-Class this week—and it teased a version with even more range. Mercedes-Benz is trying to make the electric C-Class feel like just another sedan in its lineup, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the combustion model. In C400 4Matic guise, it has a starting price in Germany of €67,711.

Along with pricing for the dual-motor C400, Mercedes has confirmed that “further models will follow,” including a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant with a WLTP range of around 497 miles (800 km). That’s more than the previously announced specs for the C400 4Matic, which has a WLTP rating of 473 miles (762 km). 

WLTP ratings are a bit more generous than the EPA figures we’re used to in the U.S. But we’d still expect nearly 500 miles of WLTP range to translate to well over 400 miles on the EPA cycle if this model was to hit American shores. It’s just one more data point showing that 400 miles of range is quickly becoming the new 300, especially among luxury brands. 

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Source: Mercedes-Benz

But even in its more efficient single-motor guise, it still won’t be able to match its Bavarian rival, the BMW i3, which has a bigger battery and can deliver up to 559 miles (900 km) on one charge in dual-motor guise. If BMW launches a big-battery, single-motor i3, it could exceed 600 miles (960 km) on a single charge.

Even so, the future rear-wheel drive C-Class EV may end up being the important model and the big seller. The C400 is very quick, hitting 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in just 4 seconds, but better range and efficiency, as well as a lower price, will make a lot more sense in an electric sedan.

Adding the AMG Line pack to a C400 costs €3,451 and it changes the standard 18-inch wheels for more aggressive 19-inch AMG aero wheels, it makes the bumpers and side skirts more aggressive, but you don’t get the body-hugging sports seats. You have to get the €7,556 AMG Line Plus pack, which adds different 19-inch wheels and lots of AMG-branded elements, to also have the sports seats.

The MBUX Hyperscreen, the 39.1-inch pillar-to-pillar display that replaces the standard three-screen array, is €1,487, while the augmented reality head-up display costs an additional €1,249. The Agility and Comfort Package, which adds air suspension and rear-wheel steering, costs €2,844, but if there’s one must-have option for the C-Class EV, it’s this because it transforms how the car feels and drives.

As with any Mercedes, the options list will quickly increase the price, and I was able to get a fully loaded C400 over €96,000. There will be an even more powerful and expensive version, including an AMG model, expected to feature a tri-motor setup and around 800 horsepower, to rival the M version of the BMW i3.