302 HP Mercedes C300de Diesel PHEV Can Cover 57 Km In EV Mode

Following a preview earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz has dropped full details about its new C300de PHEV model.

Available as a sedan or wagon, the C300de uses the same third-generation plug-in-hybrid technology as the E300de. It combines a 194PS (191hp) 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine with a 90kW (122PS/121hp) electric motor and a 13.5kWh battery pack. Total system output is 306 PS (302 hp), while combined torque is limited to 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). All of it is available from just 1,400 rpm.

However, the electric motor integrated into the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission provides 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque from the get-go. As a result, the C300de sedan covers the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 5.6 seconds (5.7 seconds for the wagon) and reaches a top speed limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).

When running on electric power alone, the C300de can cover a distance of up to 57 km (35.4 miles) and reach speeds of up to 130 km/h (81 mph). As for fuel economy, the plug-in hybrid is rated at 1.6-1.4 l/100 km (147-168 mpg US) NEDC. That’s equivalent to a combined electrical consumption of 19.1-18.7 kWh/100 km.

Thanks to an onboard 7.4kW charger, the lithium-ion battery can be charged in about 1.5 hours at a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox. Plugging it into a conventional domestic power socket will result in a 5-hour wait time.

Later on, Mercedes will add a gasoline plug-in hybrid model as well to the C-Class lineup. That one will most likely use the same setup as the recently-unveiled E300e. The automaker will start deliveries of the C300de in mid-2019.