2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV Prototype Spied Inside and Out, Shows Intriguing Details

Mercedes-Benz is rumored to be abandoning its EQ branding for electric vehicles and switching back to a unified nomenclature. This is a good decision, considering that the EQ models have been rather disappointing. The distinct design is considered to blame for the lackluster sales performance, which didn't help the EQ brand gain traction. Going back to regular "classes" will get rid of both the name and design.

I'm not sure how this will work for the upcoming C-Class, considering that it will be underpinned by the EV-dedicated MB.EA architecture. It's still too early to get rid of all combustion engines for one of the most popular Mercedes-Benz sedans. This means that a gas-powered C-Class will either go on with the current MRA2 platform or Mercedes-Benz will find a way to install a combustion engine on the MB.EA skateboard.

The MB.EA architecture will also be used for the brand's flagship models. The highly flexible architecture will have two variants, with the MB.EA-S reserved for the smaller models like the C-Class and the future GLC electric models. Meanwhile, the MB.EA-L will be used for the forthcoming replacement of the S-Class and EQS, with an electric SL also in the plan for 2028.

So far, we've only seen electric prototypes of the next-generation C-Class. The latest one was spotted driving around the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany, which means Mercedes-Benz is honing the suspension of the upcoming executive sedan. This comes four months after we saw the first pictures of the C-Class electric prototype testing in Sweden. Being a completely new vehicle architecture, dynamic testing might take longer before we start to see the first design details of the upcoming model.

This C-Class prototype makes no exception, as it still features generic headlights and taillights. The heavy camouflage doesn't give away too many details, but there's one important change compared to the prototype snapped in Sweden last December. This one features recessed door handles, which are more appropriate for electric vehicles. Legacy carmakers are still figuring out that every aerodynamic optimization counts with electric cars. Even in the EQ lineup, only the EQE and EQS have recessed door handles, whereas the EQA, EQB, and EQC have classic handles.

Although many have compared the upcoming CLA electric sedan with the Tesla Model 3, the electric C-Class is a more fitting rival. The German model will face a lot of competition when it arrives in the second half of next year, including from the upcoming 3 Series sedan of BMW's Neue Klasse family. The C-Class and its cousin GLC, which will share the design and many components, will likely switch from the current prismatic battery cells to round cells, similar to what BMW announced for the Neue Klasse.

Our photographers got the rare chance to snap the cockpit of this prototype, revealing an intriguing detail. The dashboard adopts a familiar layout, with the instrument panel and the infotainment screen blending into one display surface. This seems to be the new industry trend, with BMW Neue Klasse models featuring a similar design. The C-Class sedan's center screen also features a camera sensor, likely for the driver monitoring system.