With Mercedes continuing its expansion of the EQ brand, the German OEM is to introduce two PHEV powertrains to its facelifted C-Class.
Available in a four-cylinder gasoline and four-cylinder diesel variants, the revized C-Class will make its public debut at Geneva International Motor Show in March.
Ahead of its debut in Switzerland, Mercedes has introduced two plug-in hybrid variants of its C-Class saloon and estate. The C300e and C300de feature gasoline and diesel four-cylinder powerplants respectively, combined with the new EQ-Power system.
Developed around a new hybrid system, the OEM has claimed power output of the electric motor will offer 40ps more than its predecessor, the 300h. This means that in combination with the 2.0-liter gasoline engine the C-Class will produce 210ps, while the diesel will develop 193ps.
Thanks to the lithium-ion battery capacity upgrade – from 6.4kWh to 13.8kWh – the PHEVs battery-only range will increase to 30km.
As well as the introduction of two PHEV models, Mercedes will offer three diesel iterations using the company’s latest 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit, the 150ps C200d, 194ps C220d and 244ps C300d.
The OEM will also produce three gasoline variants, the C180, C200 and C300. With a 1.6-liter turbo engine, the C180 will produce 156ps. The C300 with a new four-cylinder petrol engine and without electrical assistance promises 244ps.
The two plug-in hybrids will go on sale in the UK later this year as part of a facelifted C-Class line-up.