Mercedes-Benz C350e

The new Mercedes-Benz C350e, the latest addition to the company’s C-Class portfolio, launched in Malaysia.

A Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), the fifth-generation (W206) saloon replaces the C300 variant, and joins the C200 variant as a range-topper.

Locally-assembled (CKD - Pahang), the C350e AMG Line is priced (est.) at MYR 355,000 (OTR, w/o insurance).

Each purchase includes a four-year/unlimited-mileage standard vehicle warranty, and a six-year/100,000 KM main drive battery warranty.

Exterior colours. Cavansite Blue, Graphite Grey, High-tech Silver, Manufaktur Hyacinth Red, Obsidian Black, Polar White, Selenite Grey, and Spectral Blue.

Cockpit of the new C350e exudes an elegantly premium outlook, blessed with the AMG Line Interior treatment. 

The dashboard sees ARTICO man-made leather (Nappa-black), accentuated by hard-panels (metal weave) in space grey with metal trimmings.

Commanding the space are the floating screens (MBUX Multimedia System - instrument cluster/infotainment), and linked to the dash is a metal-structured centre console.

Elsewhere, it gets metallised-finish protruding-turbine-designed air-conditioning nozzles, and AMG sports pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs.

Overall, it is well designed, very driver- and passenger-oriented. Every accessibility is within reach and are purposefully arranged. 

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system, installed is a 12.3-Inch fully-digital instrument cluster (customisable layout) with a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Luxurious, the five-seater gets the AMG Line Interior, featuring ARTICO man-made leather upholstery (black).

Installed up front are Sports Seats with electronic adjustments (multi-way, lumbar support, heat, memory). 

The rear sees a bench seat with a backrest recline function, and a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration (button-operated). 

Completing the environment are AMG floor mats, a panoramic glass sunroof (auto - tilt/slide) framed by a black fabric headliner, and a 64-colour active ambient light system.

Due to its fairly stocky body, it offers plenty of head, shoulder and leg rooms, thus front, middle and rear occupants get ample mobility.

Numerous storage areas. E.g., centre console partitioned spaces with under-stowage, a large-sized glove box, and seat back and side door pockets.

Mounted is a three-twin-spoke and flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, wrapped in Nappa-black leather with silver trimmings.

Features are multi-switches (haptic-touch - media, vehicle settings), electronic column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and silver-chrome paddle shifters.

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

There are four flex bottle holders, strategically located around the cabin.

Equipped with the USB Package Plus, it comes with multiple USB ports placed around the cabin. It also has a 12 V socket, and a wireless charger.

The boot comes with the EASY-PACK tailgate feature, enabling a contactless function (foot sensor, key fob) that opens up to 355-Litres (seats up) of load space.

Weighing in at 2,105 KG, the new C350e stands at 4,751 MM long, 1,820 MM wide, 1,437 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,865 MM.

Elegantly luxurious, its exterior has the typical Mercedes-Benz styling, parading an overall seamless design with smooth and clean surfaces.

The long-overhang front-end sees a bonnet with the Merc’s powerdomes and radiator grille (Mercedes-Benz pattern - chrome).

Fitted is the AMG Line Exterior kit (aggressive bumper - large intakes), and the Night Package (high-gloss black trims - side mirrors, window surrounds, bumper, grille).

Solid, seamless and rounded, the rear-end has a short-overhang, paired to smoothly muscular quarter panels.

Fitted is the AMG Line Exterior kit (aggressive bumper - full-width diffuser, twin exhaust), and the Night Package (high-gloss black trims - window surrounds, bumper).

Roundly angular, fitted are Digital Light LED headlamps with projection function, Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus, auto On/Off, and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Sleek and sporty, the largely-framed tail lamps are fitted with full LED units.

Electronically-powered (auto-fold, adjust), the side mirrors have turn- and blind spot-indicators, as well as an automatic-dimming function.

Equipped is a set of ventilated/cross-drilled (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold.

Completing the look (AMG Line Exterior) is a set of 18-Inch AMG five-spoke light-alloy rims (black, high-sheen), rubbered-up in 225/45 R18 Michelin Primacy 4 MO tyres.

The new C350e features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are PRE-SAFE system, PRE-SAFE Impulse Side, Exit Warning Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Blind-Spot Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, Lane Tracking Package, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Prevention, Parking Package (camera - 360-degree, reverse), Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), and GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection. 

Others include Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety comprises seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver knee, front side, front-rear curtain), airbag disable function, seat belts (reminders, pretensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (two - outer rear seats), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold (EPB), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior), impact beams (side, front), interior monitoring system, Break-in resistant heat and noise-insulated and infrared-reflecting laminated safety glass, TIREFIT, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), anti-theft alarm system and engine immobiliser.

Drive modes available via DYNAMIC SELECT (ECO, COMFORT, SPORT, INDIVIDUAL).

Whereas, via Recuperative Braking are D+, D, D-, Gliding (Shift Pedals), DAuto, and Eco Assist (One-Pedal-Driving).

Part of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system, it sees a vertically-mounted (floating portrait) 11.9-Inch infotainment central display.

The setup supports multimedia, MBUX navigation premium, hard-disc navigation, extended MBUX functions, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, fingerprint scanner (MBUX custom drive settings), voice/gesture/steering controls, and climate control.

Audio is by a six-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system. 

The new C350e harbours a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) powertrain.

Nestled is a 2.0-Litre, inline-four-cylinder 16-valve, turbocharged DOHC petrol engine (201 HP/150 KW - 320 NM), and a rear-mounted electric motor (127 HP/95 KW - 440 NM).

Combined output reads at 308 HP/230 KW of power and 550 NM of torque.

The setup is mated to a 9G-Tronic (nine-speed) automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to the rear axle, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD).

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 6.1 seconds, and top speed is 245 KM/H.

Fuel tank capacity is at 50-Litres, and fuel consumption is between 0.7 - 0.5-Litres for every 100 KM.

Juicing-up the e-motors is a 25.4 KWH Lithium-Ion battery (boot floor-mounted), enabling up to 117 KM of electric-only range (WLTP).

Charging via AC (Type 2 - 11 KW) takes two hours for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC). DC charging not provided.

Also included is a five-metre charging cable (Mode 2).

The new C350e comes with KEYLESS-GO Comfort package (hands-free access, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack tailgate (contactless, foot sensor), EASY-PACK load compartment cover, sports seats (electronic adjustments, lumbar support, heat, memory), THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents), sports steering wheel (multi-function, electric column adjustments, paddle shifters, EPS), Mirror package, Interior Light package, Memory package, Stowage Space package, ambient lights (64 colours), MBUX multimedia system (instrument cluster, central infotainment), wireless charging system, USB Package Plus (multiple ports all-around the cabin), fingerprint scanner, Acoustic Comfort package, heat-, noise-insulating and infrared-reflecting laminated glass, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior), panoramic glass sunroof (automatic - tilt/slide), electric rear sun visor, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), auto-pinch windows (up/down), and speed sensing door locks.

Courtesy of the Adaptive Damping System air suspension installed (rear), it provides a solid ride all around.

The vehicle delivers a high-power density, high efficiency and high-power reliability. Ultimately, it has great handling stability and agility at high speeds.

The build is very well equipped to offer a high level of NVH comfort (Noise, Vibration, Harshness). 

Part of the aero-acoustic measures used at reducing wind, tyre and road noises include the installation of heat-, noise-insulating and infrared-reflecting acoustic laminated glass.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz C350e exudes an all-around sophisticated outlook. Its smooth and seamless silhouette is simply Mercedes.

Stepping inside, it boasts a luxurious cabin with its high-tech advanced cockpit layout and the overall premium upholsteries.

Build quality is excellent, and pairing all these with its dual-natured powertrain, Mercedes-Benz’s new hybrid saloon is really well suited for the luxury executive segment.