BMW intended to launch the current-generation car as a plug-in from the start, so the platform was developed with the powertrain in mind.Īs a result, there’s little impact on passenger space, but boot capacity does shrink to 375 litres compared with the standard saloon’s 480 litres. Since the BMW 3 Series is already a top choice among families and company car drivers, a plug-in hybrid version was always going to be a logical step. One of the few downsides is the price - this has recently gone up quite significantly, as with a lot of Mercedes models, meaning you’ll pay nearly £50,000 even before options and/or packs are added. The engine is quiet when it kicks in though, and easily drowned out by the Burmester hi-fi. It's reasonably brisk, getting from 0-62mph in 6.1 seconds, but the C 300 e only really feels sporty in a straight line.

The electric motor is paired with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, offering 201bhp, for a combined total of 308bhp. Crucially, that's not only more than enough for most people's daily driving, but it can also take a good bite out of longer trips as well. It's enough juice to give the C 300 e an official EV range of more than 60 miles, making 40-50 miles of zero-emissions driving realistic in most conditions. That's especially true for the PHEV, which is serene while being powered along by its 127bhp electric motor.Īnd to answer the naysayers who think plug-in hybrids don't go far enough on a charge, Mercedes has fitted a 25.4kWh battery – that's larger than the one in the original Nissan Leaf. It might not be quite as sporty as some rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Jaguar XE, but it feels more special inside. The Mercedes C-Class is a great executive saloon that majors on comfort, refinement and sophistication.

Plug in hybrid electric vehicles