Clever, space-efficient hybrid system; hallmark ‘Benz quality; hallmark C-Class attributes
Nothing here – the C-Class delivers again
With the all-new C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz would like to make a point to those who think hybrid cars are the end of enjoyable motoring as we know it. You’re wrong.
History will show Mercedes-Benz obliterated the 2014 F1 World Championship with team drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg almost lapping the entire field. The first F1 championship for petrol-electric hybrid cars.
Sure there’s a fair leap from F1 racers to the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid road car but the point is, done properly, petrol-electric or diesel-electric cars allow us to stretch fuel consumption and provide a degree of zero-emissions pure electric motoring while also being nice to drive over our favourite windy road. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid brings hybrid power to the sensational all-new C-Class range.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Overview
The C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid is a late addition to the award-winning Mercedes-Benz C-Class lineup. Priced at $74,400 it is currently the range-topper. On the specifications front, the hybrid model mirrors the C 250 BlueTEC version.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Engine
Just like the larger E 300 Hybrid, the all-new C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid employs the Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre turbo-diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. This sees the electric motor mounted under the bonnet adjacent to the seven-speed automatic transmission and the battery pack under the rear seat – that’s clever space-efficiency.
All-up there’s 150kW of power and peak torque of 500Nm. And behind the wheel that translates into substantial performance.
Combined-cycle fuel consumption is rated at 4.0l/100kms.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid The Interior
As we know, Mercedes-Benz has excelled with the interior style of the all-new C-Class. In other words, lots of space, new seats, new dashboard, stylish round air-vents and the free-standing centre seven-inch colour screen for the satellite navigation.
The Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid carries virtually the same specification level as the C 250 BlueTEC model. However the seats are trimmed in leather (nice light grey colour on the car we drove, with contrasting black carpet) and there’s a central hybrid gauge in the instrument cluster which shows power use and battery re-charge when braking.
And here’s the clever part – Mercedes-Benz fits the battery pack under the rear seat so there’s no intrusion on rear seat legroom, you still get the cargo flexibility of the 40:20:40 split-fold and the 408-litres of boot space.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Exterior & Styling
Apart from the ‘BlueTEC Hybrid’ badge on the boot, there are no external differences between this C-Class and the C 250 BlueTEC. And that’s great news because we’re smitten by the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class – it’s a terrifically handsome sedan.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC On The Road
Mercedes-Benz staged the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid launch on the familiar roads around Melbourne’s Yarra Valley. We’re up there every week and it feels like we know every pebble on these routes…but at least it makes for relevant comparisons.
Unless you’ve been AWOL all year you’ll know the all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been lauded throughout the world. A big part of that story is the superb chassis – ‘Benz opting for a sophisticated double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear.
In terms of the hybrid system itself, it provides silent, emissions-free acceleration from standstill (on a light throttle) before the turbo-diesel cuts-in. Thanks Mercedes-Benz’ brilliant engineering it’s all very seamless as the electric motor and turbo-diesel swap the propulsion duties (for example the electric motor often takes over at cruising speeds on the freeway).
And that’s how hybrid vehicles need to be – seamless. By all means eyeball the hybrid gauge as much as you like and try to drive as efficiently as possible but for daily drivers…well just drive…and let the hybrid system automatically do the work – your payback will be less frequent visits to the diesel pump.
Over the twists and curves of those Yarra Valley roads, the Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC hybrid mostly performed to the high standards of the all-new C-Class. Naturally there are a few extra kilograms underneath with the hybrid battery pack and electric motor but we defy anyone to ‘hand-on-heart’ say they notice any difference.
So that means nice response as the seven-speed automatic always seems to be in the right gear (aided of course by paddle-shifters if you desire), pin-sharp steering response and wonderful chassis balance.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Issues
After thus brief drive we’re not deducting points for anything.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid Verdict
As we’ve seen in Formula One and the World Endurance Championship races, hybrid power is probably the future for the automotive industry at least for the next couple of decades. Whether the base engine is diesel or petrol is open, but hybrid electric drivelines and kinetic energy recovery systems enable significant reductions in fuel consumption and some form of zero-emissions motoring.
And, we’d suggest the technology for hybrid drivetrains has the capability to be fast-tracked much better than the technology for pure electric cars and their required infrastructure.
Not surprisingly Mercedes-Benz is at the top of the game with hybrid drivetrains available in C-Class, E-Class and S-Class sedans.
For the all-new C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, it’s the refined and seamless operation of the hybrid system which makes it a winner. Combine that with the hallmark C-Class attributes…well there is no compromise here.
Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid The Competition
Naturally all roads lead to the BMW ActiveHybrid 3. Sure the BMW is a lot more coin at $100,200 but it packs a punch thanks to BMW’s turbocharged six-cylinder petrol hybrid drivetrain. Very sharp to drive, in the BMW way, the ActiveHybrid 3 is definitely on your shopping list.
Nissan’s prestige brand Infiniti buys into the luxury hybrid sedan game with the excellent Q50 3.5h S ($67,900 or $73,900 for the S Premium). Like the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, the Infiniti is a six-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid and with 268kW/546Nm it too has plenty of performance. Sample the Infiniti Q50 and you’ll find nice styling inside and out, obvious quality and top-notch driving dynamics.
And Toyota’s partner Lexus has an extensive range of hybrids – in this case we’re looking at the IS 300h ($58,900 for the ‘Luxury’ or $67,900 for the ‘F Sport’). Lexus employs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol hybrid system offering 164kW/221Nm which combines with a very competent chassis to provide an excellent drive.
