{"id":1892111,"date":"2026-04-20T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1892111"},"modified":"2026-04-20T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T08:00:00","slug":"new-electric-mercedes-c-class-the-volume-ev-gamble-with-controversial-new-grille-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1892111","title":{"rendered":"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"articleItem\">\n<p>    {&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/2026-c-class-electric\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/2026-c-class-electric\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Piers Ward&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;Piers Ward is the deputy editor of CAR magazine and orchestrates the magic that happens on its pages each month. From writing features and first drives to instigating daft ideas and organising outlandish photo shoots, Piers is involved in every stage of the magazine cycle.u00A0u00A0nA 25-year veteran of the UK publishing scene and a road tester for a significant chunk of that, Piers has written for most of the outlets that matter u2013 including stints on Autocar, BBC TopGear and Auto Express, as well as jobs working for external agencies.nCareer highlights include importing half a dozen cars into China for an Awards shoot and being the first journalist in the world not to stall Sebastian Loebu2019s C4 WRC car. It must have been all the practice heu2019d had learning to drive in a Lada Riva.nWhen not wielding a keyboard, Piers can often be found scanning the classifieds for his next car purchase or getting behind the wheel of historic racers. He can be found on Twitter (sorry, X), Instagram and LinkedIn.&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/166305\/piers_ward.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;caption&#8221;:&#8221;Piers Ward&#8221;},&#8221;sameAs&#8221;:[&#8220;https:\/\/x.com\/piers_ward&#8221;,&#8221;https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pierswardmedia\/&#8221;],&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/&#8221;,&#8221;jobTitle&#8221;:&#8221;Deputy editor&#8221;,&#8221;worksFor&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;CAR&#8221;}},&#8221;dateModified&#8221;:&#8221;2026-04-20T12:00:00+01:00&#8243;,&#8221;datePublished&#8221;:&#8221;2026-04-20T12:00:00+01:00&#8243;,&#8221;headline&#8221;:&#8221;New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed&#8221;,&#8221;publisher&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Bauer Media&#8221;,&#8221;brand&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Organization&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Car Magazine&#8221;},&#8221;logo&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;ImageObject&#8221;,&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/logos\/car.200&#215;88.png&#8221;}}}<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2\">\n<header>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<h1 class=\"title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNew electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed<\/h1>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column\">\n<div class=\"hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"compact-author-info\">\n\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/\">Piers Ward<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"dates\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dates__date\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPublished: Today 12:00<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"cms-content\">\n<div class=\"in-page-gallery full-width thumbnails-bullets\">\n<ul class=\"carousel\" data-orbit=\"true\" data-options=\"bullets: true; resume_on_mouseout: false; timer: false; variable_height: true; slide_number: false\">\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-31.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-31.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-31.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-31.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-34.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-34.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-34.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-34.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-35.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-35.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-35.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-35.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-36.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-36.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-36.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-36.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-37.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-37.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-37.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-37.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-38.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-38.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-38.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-38.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-41.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-41.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-41.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-41.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-42.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-42.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-42.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-42.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-43.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-assets.bauersecure.com\/images\/1056x594\/transparent.png\" alt=\"New electric Mercedes C-Class: the volume EV gamble with controversial new grille revealed\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x270\/mercedes-c-class-electric-43.jpg, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x405\/mercedes-c-class-electric-43.jpg, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1056x594\/mercedes-c-class-electric-43.jpg, (large)]\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"articleContent\">\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/c-class\/\" title=\"View all Mercedes-Benz C-Class Reviews\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"info-link\"> View all Mercedes-Benz C-Class Reviews<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"bold-links\">\n<p><strong>\u25ba The first electric C-Class revealed<br \/>\u25ba C400 launch model claims 470-mile range<br \/>\u25ba Includes *that* controversial new grille<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Remember when Mercedes was all about the luxury and wasn\u2019t fussed about being a volume seller? The A-Class was going to be killed, while estate cars were superfluous when you could hit better margins with a fleet of SUVs. An electric only utopia was envisioned.<\/p>\n<p>Well, no more \u2013 luxury is dead, volume is king and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/industry-news\/mercedes-benz\/2026-model-strategy\/\">the EV-only strategy has been flushed<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Nowhere is this more relevant than in the electric C-Class that\u2019s just been revealed. Playing it safe, the new C-Class uses a dual-powertrain strategy meaning buyers get a choice: a brand-new, all-electric C-Class on a bespoke EV platform or a parallel run of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/c-class-saloon\/\">the familiar ICE model<\/a>. It\u2019s about flexibility \u2013 a core tenet of the new volume-focused direction. By offering customers a choice, Mercedes hopes it can meet its environmental obligations and hit sales targets.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg?scale=down\" alt class=\"wp-image-260103\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1040x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-32.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the same philosophy Mercedes has used with the GLC \u2013 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/glc-suv\/\">old combustion version<\/a> carries on being sold in dealers, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-reviews\/mercedes-benz\/2026-glc-electric\/\">the new electric one<\/a> tops everything off. The GLC sharing extends further, as both the GLC and C-Class use the same platform and hardware. As such, the C runs the same 94.5kWh battery, only in this case it will do more miles between charges thanks to the saloon\u2019s better aero.<\/p>\n<p>The C400 4Matic you see in the pictures will do 470 miles and an upcoming, longer-range rear-wheel drive version should get close to 500. Good, but not quite <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/bmw\/2026-i3\/\">BMW i3<\/a> good. It runs an 800v system so it\u2019s possible to add nearly 200 miles in just 10 minutes. If you can find a suitable charger. If you\u2019re in the UK and attached to one of the more common 400v chargers over here, the C-Class has a DC-DC inverter included to throttle it down. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/industry-news\/mercedes-benz\/rapid-charging-incompatibility\/\">Unlike on the CLA<\/a>, this inverter is included as standard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg?scale=down\" alt class=\"wp-image-260111\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1040x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-40.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>It packs a serious punch: 483bhp, 590lb ft and 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds for the C400 4Matic. Mercedes has opted to fit a twin-speed gearbox on the rear axle, to give the car both better accelerative performance but also more efficiency at higher speeds. It\u2019s the same idea that Porsche uses in the Taycan.<\/p>\n<p>Much like the GLC, air suspension and rear axle steering will be standard across most trim levels. Comfort levels will be upped by the use of both Google Maps data and Car-to-X data sharing so the car will know what sort of road surface is coming up and adjust the dampers accordingly. Sounds daft in theory, is less so in practice \u2013 we tried it out on a GLC recently and it worked remarkably well. It means to C-Class should handle long distances effortlessly.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>All this is overseen by four integrated \u2018brains\u2019 \u2013\u00a0basically a set of controllers that streamline every major system, slashing latency \u00e0 la BMW\u2019s Neue Klasse and the next-gen VWs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg?scale=down\" alt class=\"wp-image-260104\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1040x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-33.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>The interior is dominated by the 39.1-inch Hyperscreen and Mercedes\u2019 latest operating system, a vast touchscreen that\u2019s weirdly not quite as over-bearing as it is on the one in the EQS. Plus, the engineers have obviously learnt from previous iterations because it\u2019s now easier to use \u2013 yes, there are no physical buttons, but with the new \u2018Zero Layer\u2019 you can customise the bottom section for all your regular functions. Don\u2019t want the seat heater shortcut in summer? It\u2019s an easy drag and drop to replace it with something else.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject show-for-medium-up hide-for-xlarge-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Allied to all the integrated charging and maps data that Mercedes is now using \u2013 obviously with a healthy dose of AI operating in the background \u2013 it makes for a car that should be easy to live with.<\/p>\n<p>Inside, it feels extremely well made but some of the finishes are a bit gaudy, especially around the speakers and vents. If you really want to up the Las Vegas glitz, you can spec a panoramic roof with 162 stars embedded within it that light up at night.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg?scale=down\" alt class=\"wp-image-260110\" data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/480x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg?scale=down, (default)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/720x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg?scale=down, (medium)], [https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/1040x0\/mercedes-c-class-electric-39.jpg?scale=down, (large)]\"><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p>Practical elements? There\u2019s a 101-litre frunk, the new platform has freed up more room in the cabin and the car can tow up to 1.8 tonnes. Anyone who wants to truly embrace the eco can also spec their car with a full vegan interior \u2013 even the glues are cow-friendly. It offers something for everyone.<\/p>\n<div class=\"mpu-inject hide-for-medium-up\">\n<div class=\"mpu-ad advert\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Much like the car itself. It\u2019s not divisive and with the petrol version continuing, should ensure Mercedes\u2019 volume play works.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<aside class=\"about-author\">\n<h2 class=\"about-author-heading\">About the author<\/h2>\n<div class=\"about-author-inner\">\n<div class=\"main-author-summary-container\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"main-author-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/166305\/120x120\/piers_ward.jpg?quality=90)\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"main-author-name-container\">\n<div class=\"main-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/\">Piers Ward<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"main-author-job-title\">Deputy editor<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"main-author-byline\">CAR magazine&#8217;s deputy editor has a penchant for automotive adventure and trading in quirky, often-unreliable old cars. A veteran of CAR magazine, Autocar, Top Gear and Auto Express, Piers has probably driven it, written it and reviewed it before most.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"column show-for-xlarge-up xlarge-2 xlarge-pull-10\">\n<figure class=\"author-info clearfix\">\n<p>\t\t\t<a class=\"author-image\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/166305\/85x85\/piers_ward.jpg?quality=90)\"><\/a><figcaption>\n<p class=\"author-name\">\n\t\t\tBy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/author\/piers-ward\/\">Piers Ward<\/a>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"author-quote\">CAR&#8217;s deputy editor, word wrangler, historic racer<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"column xlarge-10 xlarge-push-2 disqus\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a id=\"commentsExpander\" 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data-elem=\"close\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>{&#8220;@context&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/schema.org&#8221;,&#8221;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Article&#8221;,&#8221;image&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/car-images.bauersecure.com\/wp-images\/260099\/mercedes-c-class-electric-30.jpg&#8221;,&#8221;mainEntityOfPage&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;WebPage&#8221;,&#8221;@id&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/2026-c-class-electric\/&#8221;},&#8221;url&#8221;:&#8221;https:\/\/www.carmagazine.co.uk\/car-news\/first-official-pictures\/mercedes-benz\/2026-c-class-electric\/&#8221;,&#8221;author&#8221;:{&#8220;@type&#8221;:&#8221;Person&#8221;,&#8221;name&#8221;:&#8221;Piers Ward&#8221;,&#8221;description&#8221;:&#8221;Piers Ward is the deputy editor of CAR magazine and orchestrates the magic that happens on its pages each month. From writing features and first drives to instigating daft ideas and organising outlandish photo shoots, Piers is involved in every stage of the magazine cycle.u00A0u00A0nA 25-year veteran of the UK publishing scene and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[239,226],"class_list":["post-1892111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-carmagazine-co-uk","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1892111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1892111\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1892111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1892111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1892111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}