Mercedes-Benz C350e Plug-in Hybrid: Could it Make a Return to Australia?

Mercedes-Benz has recently received approval to sell its C350e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan in Australia, sparking speculation that the model could soon be available to Australian buyers. Despite this development, the luxury carmaker remains non-committal about the vehicle's future in the local market.

A Potential Comeback for the C-Class PHEV?

The C350e is part of the latest W206-series C-Class lineup, which already includes the C200, C300, AMG C43 4Matic, and AMG C63 S E-Performance 4Matic+ variants. The approval for the C350e suggests that Mercedes-Benz may be reconsidering its previous stance on plug-in hybrids, which was to focus primarily on either petrol or fully electric vehicles, aside from its AMG performance models.

However, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson Jerry Stamoulis, there is “nothing new to announce” regarding the C-Class PHEV. Stamoulis emphasized that while the brand continues to evaluate the market for all available models, customer demand in Australia has so far leaned more towards petrol and electric vehicles rather than plug-in hybrids.

Customer Preferences Shaping Mercedes-Benz’s Strategy

At the media launch of the EQE electric sedan in May 2023, Stamoulis highlighted the shift in customer preferences. “For C-Class sedan and GLC mid-sized SUV, we’ve elected not to bring in plug-in hybrids to Australia. They are both fantastic plug-in hybrids with 100 kilometres of electric-only range, but the questions that we are being asked by customers are … it’s either petrol or electric,” he explained.

This focus on either petrol or electric powertrains is partly due to the growing portfolio of electric vehicles in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup, which is influencing customer choices. Despite the C350e’s potential for a return, the brand is still gauging whether there is sufficient demand for a plug-in hybrid option in the Australian market.

The C350e’s Impressive Powertrain

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz C350e, which is badged as the C300e in Europe, offers a compelling blend of performance and efficiency. It features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 150kW and 320Nm, paired with a 95kW/440Nm electric motor. This combination delivers a total system output of 230kW and 550Nm.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, while a 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery provides a WLTP-rated electric-only driving range of up to 117 kilometres. This battery capacity is notably larger than those found in early electric vehicles like the BMW i3 and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, offering a significant range for daily commuting on electric power alone.

A History of Plug-in Hybrids in Australia

Mercedes-Benz has a history of offering plug-in hybrid models in Australia, including earlier versions of the C-Class such as the C350e and C300e from 2015 to 2021. Other models like the A-Class, E-Class, GLC, and GLE have also featured PHEV technology. More recently, plug-in hybrids have returned to the Mercedes-Benz Australia lineup in the form of high-performance AMG ‘E-Performance’ vehicles, including the new C63 S, GLC 63 S, and AMG GT 63 S four-door.

Conclusion

While the approval of the C350e for sale in Australia suggests that Mercedes-Benz is keeping its options open, the decision to introduce this model will likely depend on customer demand. As the automotive market continues to evolve, Mercedes-Benz appears to be carefully balancing its offerings to meet the preferences of Australian drivers, whether that’s petrol, electric, or potentially plug-in hybrid vehicles.