Mercedes-Benz C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid AMG Line Saloon review
What is it?
When Mercedes’ new gen C Class was unveiled last year, Mercedes said it would also build and sell a C 300 hybrid edition. Now here it is.
The C 300 is in many ways a hybrid version of the C 250 BlueTEC. In other words, a 2.1-litre turbodiesel C Class with 27 hp electric motor added on.
For business drivers, the appeal is sub 100 g/km for CO2
For business drivers, the appeal is sub 100 g/km for CO2, meaning lower BIK and taxes versus the C 250, plus spectacular claimed economy of 78.5 mpg.
Sounds good. The counter is that price is some 7% up on the C 250 and the technology to make the C 300 work more complex.
Of the three C300 versions currently up for grabs (SE, Sport and AMG Line), we’re looking at the top spec AMG with 99 g/km to its name.
True, this may not be quite as virtuous as the ‘base’ 94 g/km SE, let alone the coming C350 Plug In Hybrid, due this summer, which emits just 48-49 g/km.
On the other hand, the sporty AMG add-ons cut more of a visual dash. They also make for a sportier drive, while still allowing the C 300 to come in below the psychologically important 100 g/km cut off.