Mercedes-Benz has given its ageing C-Class sedan a big shake-up by slipping in a new plug-in hybrid that can be both green and sporty. Called the C300e, it offers a claimed range of just over 50 kilometres on electric power alone, about twice that of the previous C-Class plug-in (the C350e).
The C300e uses the third generation of Benz’s hybrid tech, developed with Bosch. The electric motor generates up to 90kW and 440Nm, to add to the 155kW and 350Nm from the two-litre four-pot petrol engine. Alas, you can’t quite use all that at the one time, but Benz claims a real-world 235kW and 700Nm.