Mercedes-Benz has announced the launch of the C 400 4MATIC electric, the first dedicated all-electric model in its C-Class series.

The debut coincides with the company’s 140th anniversary, a milestone marking the period since Carl Benz filed the first automobile patent in 1886.

The manufacturer describes the current period as the most extensive product launch programme in its history, aiming for leadership in electric mobility and vehicle software.

Built on a purpose-built electric architecture, the C 400 4MATIC features an all-wheel-drive system powered by two permanently excited synchronous motors.

This configuration delivers a peak power of 360 kW and 800 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds.

The vehicle utilises a lithium-ion battery with 94 kWh of usable energy content, providing a WLTP electric range of up to 762 kilometres.

An two-speed transmission on the rear axle is designed to balance urban efficiency with high-speed performance, while a front-motor disconnect unit reduces energy losses by up to 90 per cent under low load.

Equipped with an 800-volt architecture, the saloon supports DC fast charging at capacities up to 330 kW, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 22 minutes.

The system can recharge up to 325 kilometres of range in 10 minutes and is factory-prepared for bidirectional charging to supply energy to a home or the public grid.

The exterior design adopts a coupé-like silhouette with a drag coefficient starting at 0.22, significantly aided by flush door handles and aerodynamically optimised wheels.

A new "iconic grille" features a smoked glass-look mesh containing 1,050 illuminated dots and an integrated central star.

The front is further defined by star-design LED high-performance headlamps, while the athletic GT rear includes four round star-design taillights.

Inside, the cabin features the first vegan-certified interior in a mid-size Mercedes-Benz saloon, covering seat upholstery, headliners, and door panels.

An optional 39.1-inch (99.3 cm) seamless MBUX Hyperscreen spans the width of the interior, utilising matrix backlight technology with over 1,000 individual LEDs for zone-dimming.

The SKY CONTROL panoramic roof includes 162 illuminated stars that change colour to match the selected ambient lighting.

The vehicle debuts the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which integrates generative artificial intelligence from Google Gemini and ChatGPT to power the MBUX Virtual Assistant.

Navigation is based on Google Maps data and includes Electric Intelligence to plan routes based on topography, temperature, and wind conditions.

The AIRMATIC air suspension features predictive damping that uses Car-to-X technology and Google Maps data to adjust for road bumps before the vehicle reaches them.

Ride-height control also utilises map data to maintain a low setting on motorways for improved efficiency and range.

Standard 4.5-degree rear-axle steering reduces the turning circle to 11.2 metres, improving manoeuvrability in urban environments.

Safety is supported by the MB.DRIVE sensor suite, which includes up to 27 cameras and sensors such as tele- and wide-angle cameras and multiple radar systems.

A new PRE-SAFE curve function monitors navigation data and warns the driver by tightening seat belts if excessive speed is detected for an upcoming curve.

The vehicle also includes 11 airbags as standard, including a front centre airbag and a new knee airbag for the front passenger.

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