2015 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Bluetec Hybrid Launch Review
What's Hot: No packaging compromises, seamless transition between electric and diesel power, superb interior.
What's Not: Noisy at idle, couldn’t get close to fuel economy claim.
X-FACTOR: Typical Mercedes Benz class, with the promise of low, low fuel consumption and greener motoring. But is it really that thrifty?
Vehicle Style: Medium luxury hybrid sedan
Price: $74,900
Engine/trans: 150kW/500Nm 2.1 turbo diesel 4cyl, electric motor | 7sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 4.0 l/100km | tested: 6.2 l/100km
OVERVIEW
Mercedes-Benz’s C 300 Bluetec Hybrid has finally arrived in Australia, sitting at the top of the C-Class range and ready to do battle with the Lexus IS 300h, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid and BMW ActiveHybrid 3 in the medium luxury hybrid segment.
Priced at $74,900 the C 300 Hybrid sits between the $59,500 IS 300h and the $100,200 ActiveHybrid 3, while it’s specced identically to the C 250 and C 250 Bluetec.
So given it retails for $4500 more than the C 250 Bluetec - which has the same diesel powerplant and same level of equipment as the C 300 Hybrid - what do you get for the extra spend?
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 4.5/5
- Standard equipment: Leather upholstery, powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, active cruise control, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, dusk-sensing LED headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, keyless ignition.
- Infotainment: Sat-nav, 7-inch colour display with rotary controller, Bluetooth phone and audio integration, digital radio tuner.
- Storage: Boot capacity 408 litres with rear seats up. 40/20/40 split rear seats.
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