Spy photos Mercedes Electric C-Class 2026
The new electric C-Class Mercedes shows its interior
New Photos
The future Mercedes-Benz C-Class electric vehicle has been spotted undergoing winter testing with a new design.
The upcoming Mercedes C-Class EV is undergoing final touches before its anticipated debut next year.
Mercedes-Benz Previews Electric C-Class in AMG Trim
With the EQE and EQS, Mercedes-Benz already has electric alternatives to the E-Class and S-Class, respectively. Now, the German automaker is working on an electric equivalent for the C-Class—but they’re taking a slightly different approach. What you see here is the electric C-Class for the first time in its AMG trim.
Name Still Unconfirmed
Let’s start with the name: we don’t know it yet. Based on Mercedes-Benz’s current naming strategy, it would make sense for the electric C-Class to be called the “EQC.” However, the current SUV with that name could be renamed “EQC SUV” when it gets a generational update, aligning it with the naming convention seen with EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, and EQS SUV.
That said, rumors have long circulated that Mercedes-Benz plans to phase out the EQ sub-brand altogether. We recently saw the first hint of this, with the fully electric G-Class being named the G580 with EQ Technology rather than EQG. That name feels temporary and improvised. So the electric version of the C-Class might end up being called something like C-Class EV, C-Class EQ, or something entirely different.
Design: Less “Banana-Shaped” Than the EQE
In terms of design, the electric C-Class will differ noticeably from the larger EQE and EQS models. It will be less of a “banana-shaped” car, with a hood and trunk that blend more subtly into the overall lines of the windshield, roof, and rear. We already got a glimpse of this through earlier spy shots of a camouflaged test car.
The version featured in this article, however, is a Mercedes-AMG variant—much sportier in nature. This test model includes distinct bumpers, large alloy wheels with perforated brake discs behind them, a small rear spoiler, and a visibly lower stance compared to the standard prototype.
A Rival for Tesla and Fellow Germans
The electric C-Class will clearly target the same market as the Tesla Model 3, hoping to grab a slice of that well-established pie. It will also face competition from other German automakers: BMW is preparing an electric 3-Series equivalent from its Neue Klasse platform, set to launch within the next two years. Audi is also developing an A4 e-tron, although few details are available at this stage.
The upcoming Mercedes electric sedan is undergoing rigorous testing at the Nürburgring, a track known as the ‘Green Hell’.
The vehicle is anticipated to offer a remarkable range of almost 900 km on a single charge, which is expected to set a new benchmark in the electric vehicle market. This range suggests significant improvements in battery technology and energy efficiency, key components of Mercedes’ EQ lineup.
The testing in such a demanding environment indicates Mercedes’ commitment to delivering high-performance and long-distance capability in their electric vehicles.
Source: motor.es
