Ian Lamming plugs in to the latest C-Class from Mercedes
CHILL, it’s going to be a relaxing week. How do I know? Because I’m in a Mercedes.
It’s uncanny how the three pointed star has this effect on your mental wellbeing but it does, every time and the German manufacture has research that proves its cars actually lower your blood pressure.
That applies to all Mercs but any model that sports a ‘e’ on its moniker takes that to another level. The ‘EQs’ look after the full electrics of the range and the single ‘e’ denotes that it is a hybrid.
So C300e comes with a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine, an electric motor and large 25.4kWh battery. It runs on unleaded for as long as the tank has fuel or electric for more than 60 miles. You can plug it into the mains to recharge or just run it on the hydrocarbons. There are the usual tax benefits associated with any degree of electrification thanks to lower emissions and better fuel consumption but if you care less then it just a great car to drive.
The C300e tends to pull away in electric and switches to petrol as the speed rises. If you are in the mood then it is a rapid mover thanks to a combined power output of 309hp, offering a benchmark sprint time of less than six seconds. Top speed lurks around irrelevancy at 150mph.
When the electric and petrol motors working together the C300 is a powerful contender with a great ability to accelerate quickly, dispense with slow moving traffic thanks to a gutsy mid-range and cruise sublimely at high speeds.
It feels confident through the bends as well with nicely weighted steering, great grip and refined road manners.
When you have miles to chomp the C300e is a consummate performer. It is just so comfortable with peerless ride and handling, low noise and vibration levels and a top-notch specification, especially in AMG Line trim.
Once upon a time C-Class could have been viewed as entry level but not anymore. You would choose one mainly because you only want or need a car of a particular size and this saloon is as smart as models further up the range.
The grille is cool too as when you look closely it is made up of scores of tiny Mercedes emblems. The silhouette is air-cheating and the C300e sits low and wide making it look sporty.
Inside is a feast of design. A friend of mine has an old SL and loved the new contemporary interior, where her analogue clocks have now been replaced by trendy digital units, a virtual dash behind the chunky sports steering wheel, an upright touchscreen tablet on the centre console, conspiring to make the inside clutter-free.
Ambient lighting and an excellent infotainment centre complete the perfect package and the whole car oozes quality.
No wonder it is so chilled, so relaxed, so comfortable in its own skin.
Fact File
Mercedes C300e
Engine: 2.0 petrol, turbo, electric
Power: 309hp
0-62mph: 6.1secs
Top speed: 152mph
Combined MPG: 80
Transmission: nine-speed auto
CO2 g/km: 13
Price: from £46,310.00
