Mercedes-Benz and AMG’s latest C-Class takes on a trend we thought was over and done with. The DrivingOnRoad spy photographers captured this absolutely stanced C-Class while testing in Germany, a country where we wouldn’t have thought the authorities would take too kindly to a car laying frame.
Has Mercedes-Benz really dipped on luxury comfort in favor of a serious tuner image? No, what this photo really shows is just how hard Benz test drivers are thrashing the next C-Class EQ as the company gets its nearly 550-mile electric sedan ready for market. That’s full compression around one of the Nürburgring’s plethora of corners. And it’s safe to say this prototype is getting a very thorough workout.
C-Class EQ Gets More Traditional Design
We’ve seen plenty of the electric C-Class already as Mercedes-Benz works on developing what will likely be a high-selling model for the company. This latest makes us really glad that Mercedes-Benz has ditched the EQ design direction and is instead making the EQs look like their gas-powered counterparts. One look at this car and then at some early prototypes makes it immediately apparent which one buyers would actually like.
The C-Class EQ will get the latest 800-volt electric architecture from Mercedes-Benz, using the MB.EA Medium platform. Along with that, it will use Benz’s eATS2.0 drive system that includes range-boosting silicon carbide inverters as well as a two-speed transmission in at least one of the motors. Adding the gearbox improves efficiency and offers a higher top speed for its home market.
With a 94.5-kWh battery on board, our spies tell us that this EV will be capable of up to 541 miles of range. Even though that’s on the optimistic WTLP cycle, it should still end up close to 500 of range when measured by the EPA stateside.
Look To CLA For Performance Benchmarks
If all of that seems like a lot, look at the latest CLA EV for an example of what Benz can do. The smaller electric CLA is capable of up to 492 miles of range on the WLTP cycle from an 85 kWh battery pack. It also delivers up to 349 horsepower. Expect the slightly larger C-Class EQ to deliver more power, if only slightly.
While this C-Class EQ is certainly closer to production than most prototypes we’ve seen before, it’s still clearly under development. The head and taillights are placeholders, not production parts. The overall silhouette, though, is likely ready for prime time. Just ignore all the tape trickery around the rear glass and the thick pads added to the lower doors to throw you off.
As for the ride height, that’s just what happens when you are going flat-out on a racetrack in a performance sedan. The Nürburgring’s high speeds and long bends mean plenty of g-forces, and that will heavily compress the suspension. The car is also running on the pavement that sits slightly lower and behind the concrete sections, which is why this tester looks like it has flat tires.
The all-new C-Class with EQ Technology is expected to be revealed sometime in 2026. It should go on sale before the end of the year.