Even though the C350 e PHEV is not exactly a performance model, Mercedes-Benz seems to think that it offers the best of both worlds when it comes to speed and fuel economy.
If you have doubts about just how high up the pedestal this car sits according to Mercedes, know that they even went and favored it in a rather unfair comparison test against the iconic 190E Evolution II. Part of the reason is progress, obviously, and the C 350 e happens to be a very important car.
Being able to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds isn’t bad at all for a PHEV. It’s not super car fast but it is sports car fast, so combined with its 31 km (19 miles) all-electric range, you can’t help but to walk away feeling impressed.
It also comes with 275 HP, 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque, a 7G-Tronic Plus 7-speed transmission and air suspension, which together make for one very smooth ride – perfect for one of these “Silent Nights” like the one depicted in the video, wouldn’t you say?
Having the car drive up blasting rock music and then switching to electric power for complete silence is certainly not a bad way to get your point across. Models such as the C350 e are great modern-day intermediaries between where we are as and where we’re going.
Certainly, you could opt directly for an even more modern saloon such as the Tesla Model S (that’s where Mercedes and everyone else are headed anyway), but since this is 2015 and not 2025, you still have to take into account where you live in the world if you want to make the switch from petrol/diesel to electric or from hybrid to electric.