Mercedes-Benz Preps Locally Built PHEV for Malaysia
Industry analyst Paul Tan sees the C350e as a likely response to the just-launched BMW 330e even though it will not be positioned as a direct rival but more as a higher-priced, value-added alternative.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia unveils its first locally assembled plug-in hybrid, saying it will go on sale in six weeks.
Mark Raine, vice president-passenger car sales and marketing, tells a media preview the C350e sedan will replace the automaker’s C300 series.
“The price tag on the Mercedes-Benz C350e is 299,000 ringgit ($74,065) and takes about eight weeks for delivery,” the government news agency Bernama quotes him as saying.
Raine says the C350e has an all-electric range of up to 19.3 miles (31 km), has a combined output of 279 hp, top speed of 80.8 mph (130 km/h) all-electric and can go from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds.
“It can be fully charged using a conventional plug-in socket for four hours,” or two hours utilizing a dedicated Level 2 charger,” Raine says.
The C350e has four operating modes: hybrid, w-mode, e-save and charge.
Malaysian industry analyst Paul Tan sees the C350e as a likely response to the just-launched BMW 330e even though it will not be positioned as a direct rival but more as a higher-priced, value-added alternative.
The 330e is BMW Malaysia’s second plug-in hybrid.
Tan says BMW’s locally assembled eco-friendly compact executive sedan has been granted Energy-Efficient Vehicle (EEV) status and receives duty exemptions and a significant price cut as a result.
The 330e is priced at MYR248,800 ($61,070), but without the EEV incentive it would cost MYR368,800 ($90,670).
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