Mercedes electric C-Class offers early test drive

When the electric Mercedes C-Class and BMW i3 were unveiled earlier this year, it felt a little like Stuttgart had been beaten to the electric exec punch – and not just because the Beemer came first. The i3 has the C-Class Electric licked in the obvious numerical regards: official range, charging speeds and pricing (£53k versus the Merc’s £58k) are among the most prominent. It also looks far more dramatic, and rides on the same Gen6 architecture that has won its iX3 SUV sibling such widespread dynamic acclaim. The C-Class’s MLA platform has already proven softer and slightly less exciting – but still excellent in its own right – in the technically identical GLC. But after a brief ride in the C-Class ahead of our first drive in the coming weeks, there’s plenty here to get excited about. After a faltering start with the competent but unremarkable EQE, it seems Merc has finally cracked the mainstream electric exec and can once again vie for supremacy in the class that has for so long been its heartland. The first thing of note is that this feels like a notably larger car than previous C-Classes. It is longer, wider and taller – the last of which owing to it being based on a skateboard platform, with the body effectively sitting as a hat atop the battery and chassis. While the glass roof and black detailing around the rear end help to take away a bit of the visual heft, it’s still a little slab-sided. And there’s still a hint of the EQE’s egginess about the front end, I reckon, despite the brand’s push to make its EVs less amorphous. Some of the details are questionable, too: the overwhelming number of three-pointed stars – in the lights, in the grille, all over the interior – can’t help but feel like peacocking, and slightly too glitzy in an era where other brands are favouring a more restrained approach to exterior decoration. Still, it’s identifiable as a C-Class, and looks vastly more futuristic than the ubiquitous petrol or diesel-fired car. Inside the electric C-Class In a practical sense, there’s much to like: a good amount of interior space; a wide and deep boot which still has a small saloon opening, despite the sloped roofline; and a compartment under the bonnet big enough for a carry-on suitcase or a couple of overnight bags. Slide in and it’s easy to find a comfortable position in both rows, with nicely squishy bolsters and quality-feeling leather upholstery solidifying the C-Class’s long-distance credentials. There’s an overarching sense of quality that feels reassuringly Mercedes. I’m a particular fan of the grained tan leather, and it wins bonus points for the cushioning along the doorcards and windowsills – a nice touch. There’s a lounge-like feel here, and homely elements like the wood around the centre console are a nice departure from the cold, minimalist arrangements of some rivals. Fit and finish too feel like an improvement compared with the cheaper CLA – as I suppose they should – but it might even outdo the vastly more expensive EQS. The elephant in the room is the absolutely massive screen in front of me. Running across the entire width of the dashboard, it’s actually the largest you’ll find in any production car at present, measuring 39.1in. I’m surprised to find I don’t mind it. There’s a sense of theatre about its sheer scale, and the graphics are quite pleasant if you’re not having to pay attention to the road. I do wonder if I’d prefer proper climate control buttons if I were driving, rather than having to prod the screen. And some of its features, such as the camera view that pops up in the centre when you stop at a traffic light, might prove a little overwhelming. Final judgement will have to wait until we’ve driven it. On the road We move off with little fanfare. Step-off is surprisingly relaxed for a car with 483bhp – in this launch ‘400’ specification – that can be as quick off the mark as an old V8-powered C63 if you want it to be. There’s a real sense of luxury about the way the C-Class EV flow