Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has previewed its plug-in hybrid sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e, ahead of its launch in between four and six weeks’ time – with deliveries starting end-October or early November. Likely a response to the BMW 330e (which will be launched this weekend), today’s reveal showed that the car will not be positioned as a like-for-like rival, but more as a higher-priced, value-added alternative.
Unlike the BMW, which is expected to retail between RM240k and RM260k, the C 350 e will carry an indicative pricing of RM299,000. This positioning will put it slightly under the RM307,888 C 300, which it will replace in the local C-Class lineup. A wallbox charger will be offered as an option, priced at around RM7,200.
Propulsion will come from the ubiquitous 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in a similar tune to the C 250, making 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Providing additional power is an 80 hp/340 Nm electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a total system output of 279 hp and 600 Nm.
As a result, the C 350 e will go from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, while combined fuel consumption is rated at 2.1 litres per 100 km on the European NEDC cycle. The car has an all-electric range of 31 km, with a maximum speed of 130 km/h in this mode. Carbon dioxide emissions sit at just 48 grammes per kilometre.
The electric motor is juiced by a 6.2 kWh high-voltage water-cooled lithium-ion battery fitted at the rear of the car, resulting in a stepped boot floor and reduced luggage space from 475 litres to 335 litres. Charging time is around 1 hour 45 minutes through the wallbox or around two hours using a standard 230 V domestic socket. The charging port is located under the right tail light.
The car shown here is a pre-production car from Thailand, in Exclusive trim – local-spec cars will receive the full AMG Line kit with aggressive front and rear bumpers and deeper side skirts, as well as the same 19-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels as the C 300. The cabin will also receive the AMG interior design, including an AMG flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel.
Most of the kit will be identical to the C 300, including a panoramic sliding sunroof, the 590 W, 13-speaker Burmester surround sound system and Thermotronic three-zone automatic climate control. Additional kit will include Airmatic air suspension, a 360-degree camera system and a climate pre-conditioning system that will allow you to programme the climate control to turn on at a preset time.
Here are the specifications of the C 350 e in detail:
- Indicative pricing of RM299,000 (C 300 was RM307,888)
- 2.0 litre direct-injection, turbocharged engine
- 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque (C 250 power level)
- 80 hp and 340 Nm electric motor
- Total system output of 279 hp and 600 Nm
- 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds
- 2.1 l/100 km on the NEDC cycle
- All-electric range of 31 km, up to 130 km/h
- 6.2 kWh high-voltage water-cooled lithium-ion battery
- 2.0 hours charging time with 230 V domestic socket
- 1 hour 45 minutes with optional wallbox (around RM7,200)
- 335 litre boot (down from 475 litres in non-hybrid form)
- Airmatic adjustable air suspension
- 360-degree Surround View camera
- Climate pre-conditioning system
- AMG Line package with 19-inch multi-spoke wheels
- Open-pore Black Ash wood interior trim
- Artico faux leather seats, dashboard and door cards
- COMAND Online
- 13-speaker, 590 W Burmester sound system
- Thermotronic three-zone automatic climate control
Rest as per C 300 AMG Line:
We’ve driven the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e in San Francisco – read the review here.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
AutoFrenz (the original)
on 
Anything But P1, Greedy P2
on 
john
on 
Sam Poo@Loo
on 
kenny
on 
Big question?
on 
Jimmy
on 
Dr Mamak
on 
Hussein
on 
Hussein's friend
on 
sekianPM
on 
vecko
on 
Anton Sevidov
on 
Hahaha
on 
ali
on 
Basheer
on 
Basher
on 
snorlax
on 
Hfz Nsr
on 
venven81
on 
john
on 
Hafriz Shah (Member)
on 
Mh
on 
Ben Yap
on 
Lee Kum Kee
on 
heybadigol (Member)
on 
gaviny
on 
xxxyyxxx
on 
hazamiey
on 
Yippie
on 
Nenek Kau
on 
Dpillai
on 
Firdaus
on 
Poor Yippie
on 
Basher
on 
Leafable
on 
user123
on 
tokmoh.
on 
seancorr (Member)
on 
Anand
on 
thepolygonal
on 
interior
on 
ocool
on 
AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments generally express skepticism towards the high price of the Mercedes-Benz C350e plug-in hybrid, with many feeling it is overpriced and questioning the value, especially considering future battery replacement costs and practicality. Some compare it to other models like the BMW 330e, highlighting it as a better deal in terms of power and efficiency, while a few mention that the standard features are lacking, such as proper rearview cameras. There is also discussion about the impact of pricing on current owners of similar models and a few comments about government incentives and tax benefits. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment with the pricing strategy, and some concern about the market's attractiveness for the hybrid. A minority expresses pride in the price reduction gains for more affordable cars.