2016 Mercedes-Benz C350e Plug-In Hybrid

2016 Mercedes-Benz C350e Plug-In Hybrid 2016 Mercedes-Benz C350e Plug-In Hybrid
First Drive Review

“PLUG-IN HYBRID” is dead. Mercedes-Benz has sensibly abandoned its insistent, all-caps designation for a subtler “e” appended to the model’s alphanumeric. With the recent announcement that 10 plug-equipped Mercedes models will hit the streets by 2017, we applaud anything that lessens the sensory shock of that many capital letters.

Riding the Wave

Today’s candidate, the C350e, follows the S550 Plug-In Hybrid out of the gate. As its name suggests, the C boasts six-cylinder power figures, although Mercedes claims it posts three-cylinder economy numbers. The key lies in the electrified C’s powertrain. Featuring a four-cylinder engine making 208 horsepower and an electric motor pumping out 80 horses, the C moves out on a bountiful, relaxed wave of 443 lb-ft of total-system torque. In classic M-B fashion, it’s not a riotous explosion of power, but rather a steroidal serenity, bolstered by the latest C-class’s neo-S-class comportment.

There’s no joy-killing CVT drone here. The transmission is Benz’s proven seven-speed automatic. But in place of a torque converter, the gearbox features the electric motor bolted up to a wet clutch, offering torque-converter smoothness with directly coupled efficiency. In the Mercedes, the shift paddles do something other than regulate regenerative power—we’re looking at you, Cadillac ELR—allowing for honest-to-Fangio back-road shenanigans.

A range of four drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+) pair with a quartet of electricity-management selections (Hybrid, E-mode, E-save, and Charge, allowing for everything from hillside jaunts with antisocial intent to congestion-zone cruising solely on battery power. Mercedes claims that on the ridiculously optimistic European cycle, the car is good for 20 miles on electricity alone. We managed about eight on the streets of San Francisco. Once outside the city, we found the C to be a fine, relaxed cruiser on Highway 1 and a surprisingly willing partner on empty rural roads. The 350e won’t be mistaken for an AMG product any time soon, but it will hustle when called upon.

Inside, it’s a C-class. Which used to mean that it was subpar, cheap-feeling dreck. Now it means comfort, style, and excellence in materials. Sadly, the COMAND infotainment system still trails the other two German luxury brands in ease of use. Our particular test car was equipped with the fine Burmester sound system, which camouflaged the four-banger’s rather anemic exhaust note. Note to carbon-concerned canyon carvers: Stock up on Kraftwerk MP3s. You’ll want ’em.

ZEV States Only

We really have just one problem with the C350e, which goes on sale this fall at an estimated base price in the low $40,000s—Mercedes is selling it only in states that follow California’s zero-emissions vehicle mandate, a fate usually reserved for expensive electric econoboxes with limited range. The other big wait-and-see is fuel economy. Mercedes quotes Euro-cycle figures of 98 to 112 mpg. That, of course, presumes you’ve plugged the vehicle in. Daimler won’t release EPA numbers until closer to launch, or even discuss ballpark figures when nudged, but given that the Euro cycle tends to be more optimistic than EPA ratings, we’d expect rough parity with the current Chevy Volt.

If we’ve given the impression that the C350e is a B-road weapon, we apologize. We just found ourselves to be pleasantly surprised with its capabilities in that milieu. Weekend warriors would do well to look at BMW’s M235i or hoard their pennies for the Mercedes-AMG C63. But as a do-it-all, capital-G German sedan with short-distance zero-emissions capability, the C350e hits its marks. We wish the Germans would stop bragging about Euro-cycle electric range, because that figure is practically meaningless. That niggle aside, the plug-in C is another excellent entry in a range whose logbook is stippled generously with high marks.