Mercedes C-Class Electric Lets Its Supersized Grille Do All The Talking

Shortly after pulling the covers off the electric GLC EQ last year, Mercedes-Benz slipped out a shadowy teaser of the upcoming all-electric C-Class. It was the sort of image designed to spark arguments rather than answer questions. Now, a new batch of renderings based on that teaser gives us a clearer sense of where the compact executive EV could be headed.
 

Front and center sits the talking point. The C-Class EV’s grille looks set to grow rather than shrink, ignoring the recent retreat from oversized snouts at BMW and Audi. Instead, Mercedes appears ready to make it the visual anchor of the car, in much the same way Rolls-Royce leans on its Pantheon grille.
 
These renderings from Kolesa show how the grille should come standard with a thick silver or chrome-finished bezel, three horizontal slats, and hundreds of little LEDs.
 
Flanking it is a fresh headlight design, complete with the now-familiar star-shaped daytime running light signature seen on other new Mercedes models. All told, the lights, plus the grille, give the new sedan a very intriguing look, although we wouldn’t exactly call it elegant.
 

We have not had this officially confirmed, but some reports suggest the electric C-Class could adopt a liftback layout, much like the new Audi A5. If that proves accurate, expect a cleaner, more tapered rear than the combustion-powered version. The renderings show slim LED taillights set within a gloss-black panel that spans the full width of the car.
 
MB.EA Underpinnings And 800-Volt Charging
Just like the GLC EQ, the new C-Class EV will be based on the MB.EA architecture and come standard with a 94 kWh battery pack and an 800-volt electrical architecture, supporting 330 kW charging speeds. Mercedes has confirmed it will offer a driving range of up to 497 miles (800 km), easily eclipsing the 443 miles (713 km) offered up by the GLC EQ.
 
The first version could wear a C400 badge, pairing dual electric motors for a combined 483 hp. That should be enough for 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in under five seconds, which is brisk by any sensible definition.
 

Naturally, AMG versions are on the way too. One prototype has already been spotted testing on large 21-inch wheels with carbon-ceramic brakes.
 
As for the cabin, details remain under wraps. Mercedes could simply transplant the 39.1-inch seamless MBUX Hyperscreen from the GLC EQ, turning the dashboard into one continuous slab of illuminated glass. Alternatively, it may opt for the newer Superscreen layout featured in the latest CLA, pairing a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14-inch central infotainment display and a matching 14-inch passenger screen.
 
The new C-Class EQ is expected to debut before the end of this year, with a global launch slated for early 2027.