Road test: Mercedes C300e

With tax benefits generating, the luxury cars with the Plug-in Hybrid drive can no longer rely only on attractive prices and need to be convinced in return for what they provide at the performance level. So how does this C-Class remake?

With that unique luxury scent for Mercedes

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

The term "hybrid" or "hybrid plug-in" is most often associated with economical cars bought from environmental awareness or economic considerations of fuel consumption, but when we talk about hybrid or hybrid luxury cars that are loaded and specifically in Israel - the story until recently was completely different. The tax benefit given to alternative propulsion cars has made these luxury vehicles a difficult one to refuse. Because the tax benefit was given to the total cost of the car, they also usually reached very high finish levels, creating an absurd situation where they are often cheaper than the less well-equipped or weakened gasoline versions.

However, as of January 2020, the tax benefit to these cars has been significantly reduced, along with limiting the maximum discount rate, a situation in which the attractiveness of these cars is less than in the past. And with the price going up, the offer they bring to the table should be much more attractive.

Presented: New Mercedes GLA

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Respectfully dignified

Of the German trio, each manufacturer has over the years managed to create a distinct niche of identity and character. Identity that can be found in the vast majority of cases across and across their model avenue. A car with excellent road behavior in BMW, Udi's spectacular technology and passenger compartments have managed to get a grip on the secret formula of one of the most elusive components in the field - calling it luxury can be translated into luxury in Hebrew, but it's not the same fragrance. At this Mercedes, the aroma envelops everyone who sits in it, a sense of wealth, quality and meticulousness that is also found in other cars, but it still manages to impart its unique atmosphere.

The cabin is giving away its age, it's not the modern design language with the MBUX

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

It's not a matter of that, the current C-Class is the oldest of the Mercedes models and the category of its category in general, it doesn't completely go unnoticed by anyone looking at its passenger compartment. He may be good in his own right, but where is he and where the last vintage of passenger compartments from Mercedes. Take the multimedia screen for example, it is the correct size of 10.25 inches, but is not a touch screen and is operated via a dial. It does get the controls on the steering wheel with a joystick-touch pad, from which you can control the multimedia screen from the right and the digital dashboard display from the left, it works great and is thoughtlessly operated at all.

Excellent spaciousness and outstanding quality of materials also at the back

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

It will come as no surprise to us that once again we note that the quality of materials and assembly is excellent, human engineering is very good and in terms of the comfort of their seats and support for the body, it is a car that is very pleasant to transport many miles. The spacing at the back is very good for two adults laterally, and for the height, here too, the quality of the materials is excellent from the plastic, for the skin to the tree. The hybrid price pays the trunk, which shrinks to 300 liters and receives a mid-range, battery price.

Of the two "Harmonic" and "Ultimate Harmonic" finishes we took the latter and there is also an AMG finish that is basically external makeup and 18-inch rims in different finishes, but is the same in its accessory to the test car. Particularly extensive and comprehensive systems, including emergency maneuvering assistance, a system that stops the car if the driver does not respond to road conditions, identifying emergency situations and preparing the passenger compartment for injury, preventing deviation from a lane when there is a dead vehicle, adaptive cruise control and more.

The trunk shrunk a little more, now with only 300 liters

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Save and adopt

The C300e plug-in version receives the second-generation Mercedes hybrid systems, which share technology with the manufacturer's electrical division - EQ and also constantly remembers the driver at this point with tags outside and inside the car. That means a bigger battery, with a realistic range of about 40km of electric power and shorter charging times than before (about an hour and a half in a managed position).

The propeller is responsible for a 2.0 liter petrol engine with 211 kW and an electric 122 kW. The combined power is 320 kW and 71.4 kg, the power is impressive, but the torque is definitely the real shot here.

Actually on the road the car certainly conveys a sense of power available at any moment, with a rechargeable battery it moves faster from the scene, but I must point out that 71.4kg was expecting more. Not a place of power outbursts, but simply excellent availability all the time.

The familiar gasoline engine joins a much improved electric unit in every aspect

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Even with its air suspensions (which now only come in two senior finishes, as opposed to all finishes in the past), to get the same great ride comfort in a traditional Mercedes, you have to drive it on really good roads. A weight gap of about 400kg between it and the 180s and even 100kg more than the AMG C63S makes it a very heavy animal and 18-inch rims in section 40 - not quite the ideal recipe. Feeling and hearing here too many things happening under the car and wind noise from the front beam area appear on a freeway open.

Classic and elegant proportions, the advantage of this simple design is that it matures well

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

The steering wheel has good weight and accuracy, but no feedback. In general, sporting driving is from there on. Even sport and sport modes that sharpen the steering response, stiffen the racks and tell the 9-speed gearbox to utilize any gear to the full - it doesn't make it insane.

But when you relax a bit, she discovers her face that may not exactly be a buying incentive for people who buy Mercedes at such amounts - but very impressive in terms of technology. Because then you discover the capabilities of its electric and hybrid unit, which is one of the most impressive in its capabilities to utilize every energy chip in the battery. As long as electricity is stored in close proximity, the performance car definitely delivers the electric mode. Whatever, under load, and just under load, when the gasoline engine comes into action, it does so in a way that Mercedes would expect to be more refined.

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Its outstanding electrical efficiency is also evident at the end of the test days. When I calculated the ride, that of the test itself, minus 392 miles, of which the car made 141 km using only battery - almost a third of the trip. And that is without ever trying to drive economically or load it as they should. In terms of fuel consumption, it averaged 14 kilometers per liter. This is a fuel consumption of one-third of its power (and price ...) in a road test. Used "right" with daily charges - its owners will sometimes see gas stations Quite rare.

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Green luxury

The Mercedes C300e's facelift has not made it a completely different car. It has been lowered in some places (fittings, trunk volume) and upgraded in others (electric unit, fuel saving, performance, passenger compartment), in the remaining sections it remains more or less the same (behavior and comfort) but overall it is a perfectly acceptable evolution. The thing is, anyone who has undergone evolution is its price - before the facelift it cost NIS 320,000 - it was cheaper than today's basic 180 version. This time its price rose to NIS 346,000 for the base version, NIS 376,000 for the test car and 386 for the AMG finish level. What's more, there are two very good direct competitors around it - BMW 3 Series plug-in, which is weaker, but cheaper (from NIS 290,000), modern, with superior comfort and behavior and also Volvo S60 in the T8 version Offers dual propulsion, superior performance, 390 hp, lots of equipment, spacious, for NIS 300,000.

Bottom line, Mercedes has improved its offer, but the price has also jumped quite a bit, while its competitors have opened up a gap in capacity, value and price. She's great, but already having trouble being the automatic senior choice.

Road test: Mercedes C300e (Photo: Keenan Cohen, Keenan Cohen)

Compulsory insurance from NIS 54 per month

By the insurance company WE SURE

On the technical side: Mercedes C300e

Engine, propulsion: hybrid-plug-in, rear
Volume: 1,991 cc
Power / rpm (kW): 5,000 / 320
Torque / rpm (kg): 71.4
Gearbox: Automatic, 9-speed

Measurements:
Length (cm): 469
Width (cm): 202
Height (cm): 144
Wheelbase (cm): 284
Trunk (liters): 300

Performence:
0-100 acceleration: 5.4 seconds
Maximum speed: 250 mph

Competitors:
BMW 330e, Volvo S60 T8, Audi A4, Lexus IS

price:
NIS 376,000 (base - NIS 346,000)