All-new 6th-gen 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class debuts as full EV model with big range and a BIG face

The compact executive segment is going through a once-unthinkable transformation, and now, one of its most recognisable nameplates has fully embraced the electric age. Meet the all-new electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV, which is wholly separate and distinct from the now-departed EQC, which confusing was an SUV. 

Just in time, too, as it’s bound to be squaring off directly against its longtime Bavarian rival and their BMW i3, which recently re-emerged in a very different, all-electric form that portends an equally ‘Neue Klasse’ 3 Series. However, unlike the i3 which will be sold in tandem with the ICE-powered 3 Series, the new C-Class - codename W520 - is said to mark the model’s transition into fully electric. 

At this debut, which took place in Seoul (of all places), the headline act is the C400 4Matic electric, a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant that delivers serious punch with 489 PS and a hefty 800 Nm of torque on tap. This debut electric C-Class dispatches the century sprint in just 4 seconds flat, before topping out at 210 km/h.

Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz has opted for a two-speed transmission on the rear motor, while the front motor uses a conventional single-speed setup. This duality is designed to balance low-end punch with high-speed efficiency, a theme that runs throughout the car.

More variants are already in the pipeline both rear-wheel-drive and additional all-wheel-drive configurations to follow next year, including a long-range single-motor version targeting an impressive 800 km on a full charge.

Thanks to an all-new EV-specific 800V platform among other innovations, Mercedes-Benz is clearly aiming to make range anxiety a non-issue. The C400 4Matic Electric boasts up to 762km of WLTP range from its 94 kWh lithium-ion battery, a figure that puts it firmly among the segment leaders.

Charging capability is equally compelling thanks to its upgraded MB.EA electrical architecture, the C-Class EV can accept up to 330 kW of DC fast charging which, under ideal conditions and a suitably beef charging supply, should translate to as much as 325 km of range recovered in just 10 minutes.

A 10–80% charge would take approximately 22 minutes, while AC charging comes in at 11 kW as standard, with an optional 22 kW onboard charger available for quicker home or destination charging, and for broader compatibility, an optional DC converter allows the car to utilise 400-volt charging stations. 

The new electric C-Class is only the second model to sit on Mercedes-Benz’s new dedicated electric platform, following the Mercedes-Benz GLC EV. As expected, this architecture brings major advantages in packaging and efficiency. Dual-motor variants benefit from a clever front motor disconnect system, which can decouple the front axle under light loads. According to Mercedes-Benz, this reduces energy losses by up to 90%, contributing to improved real-world efficiency.

Physically, the W520-generation model has grown in every direction. At 4,883 mm long with a 2,962 mm wheelbase, it is significantly larger than its Mercedes-Benz C-Class predecessor. The result? More interior room, especially up front, where occupants enjoy increased legroom and noticeably improved headroom.

Visually, the C-Class EV borrows heavily from the GLC EV’s design DNA, but interprets it through a sleeker, more aerodynamic lens. The front fascia features a reimagined grille, now a smooth panel framed by a chrome surround, with optional illumination for added theatre. Standard LED headlamps are fitted, while the optional Digital Light system ups the ante with advanced projection capabilities.

Move to the rear, and the silhouette tells a different story. The traditional three-box sedan profile gives way to a more fluid fastback shape, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. This is critical, as evidenced by the car’s impressive drag coefficient of just 0.22. The rear lighting signature features four star-inspired elements arranged in circular arcs — a motif that reinforces the brand’s identity while tying it visually to its SUV sibling.

Despite its eco-focused mission, Mercedes-Benz insists this is the sportiest C-Class yet while also exclaiming its ride and refinement that rivals an S-Class. A key contributor to its agility is the rear-axle steering, offering up to 4.5 degrees of angle at low speeds for improved manoeuvrability. 

At higher speeds of above 70 km/h, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the fronts (up to 2.5 degrees), enhancing stability during fast cruising while the suspension setup mirrors that of the GLC EV, with a four-link front and multi-link rear arrangement. Airmatic air suspension comes as standard, capable of lowering the car in Sport mode for improved aerodynamics and handling.

Even more impressively, the system integrates with Google Maps to anticipate road conditions and optimise ride height accordingly. The system also utilises adaptive damping informed by 'car-to-x' data, but we’re skeptical about whether that coverage extends to our far-from-smooth roads.

Step inside, and the C-Class EV feels like a rolling tech showcase. The centrepiece is the optional 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen; a vast, seamless glass panel stretching almost the entire width of the dashboard. Did any of you ask for this? 

Powered by the latest generation MBUX system, it incorporates artificial intelligence from ChatGPT-4, Microsoft Bing and even Google Gemini, apparently resulting in a voice assistant capable of handling complex, multi-step queries with contextual awareness and short-term memory. A more pared-back MBUX Superscreen setup is also available, though it’s still very screen-depending, featuring ‘only’ three displays beneath a single glass surface.

Front passengers get their own screen, complete with a camera-based system that prevents distracting content from being visible to the driver,  a neat safety-focused novelty. Beyond the ocean of screens, Mercedes-Benz has paid equal attention to comfort and sensory detail. 

High-end front seats feature ventilation, massage functions and an innovative 4D sound system, where transducers embedded in the seatbacks allow occupants to physically feel audio cues.

Material choices range from standard Softtorino finishes to intricate “Twisted Diamond” Nappa leather upholstery. AMG Line variants introduce sportier touches, including distinctive stitching patterns.

Safety tech is as comprehensive as you’d expect. The C-Class EV is equipped with up to 27 sensors and cameras, supported by a powerful, water-cooled central processing unit designed to accommodate future updates. We just wonder if someone will figure out how to overclock it. 

That MB.Drive suite that gulps up all that data covers everything from adaptive cruise control to automated parking, while higher-tier packages introduce lane-change assistance and more advanced semi-autonomous capabilities.

A standout new feature is Pre-Safe Curve system that, using navigation data, detects when a vehicle is entering a bend too quickly and tightens the seatbelt as a precaution; a subtle but potentially lifesaving intervention. In total, the car offers up to 11 airbags, including a front centre airbag and a newly added knee airbag for the front passenger.

Whether it can truly outshine rivals like the BMW i3 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fight for electric executive supremacy has just become a lot more interesting. However, it’s also an open question if Mercedes-Benz can continue to expect the same volume of C-Class sales if it foregoes ICE and hybrid options in the range, which seems to be their direction.