PEKAN (Aug 24): Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd unveiled the new variant C-Class 350e Hybrid today, offering a series of "coolest" technology including pre-conditioning function and thermotronic air-conditioning system to address the hot weather in the country.

The new car is set to launch in six weeks' time, and the first delivery is scheduled to be made in eight weeks' time.

The C-350e Hybrid will be replacing the earlier C-300 model.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia sales and marketing passenger cars vice president Mark Raine said the new C-350e Hybrid will be available in locally assembled form.

The car, he said, will be assembled at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia's Pekan Plant, Pahang.

"The selling price for the C-350e starts from RM299,000, on-the-road without insurance," Raine said, adding the public can place their order starting today.

According to him, with the pre-conditioning function, customers can now control the climate within the vehicle cabin before their ride.

"The cabin can be cooled down or heated up," he said.

The function can be activated in three ways, which are pre-conditioning via key, departure time (via instrument cluster) and instant pre-conditioning (via control button), according to Raine.

He said the battery installed on the car will take up to two hours to fully charge via wall bank (industrial charging station) and four hours on conventional plug (home plug).

On pure electric driving mode, he said it provides 31km driving distance with speed up to 130km per hour.

On its energy efficient vehicle (EEV) incentive which will expire by end of the month, Raine is optimistic the group could secure the extension for the scheme.

"We have invested heavily in producing EEV, (and with this) I believe we can secure the extension.

"We are engaging with the authorities to discuss on the matter," he added.

The new C-350e Hybrid was unveiled after the introduction of locally assembled premium sport utility vehicle (SUV), the GLC 250 4MATIC, on Tuesday (Aug 23).

The German car maker decided to assemble the GLC 250 4MATIC as it saw rising interest in the SUV segment.

Thus far this year, the group has introduced five sport utility vehicle models (in January), followed by a facelifted A-Class (in March), a new C-Class (in May), and the latest, the brand new E-Class in June.

Going forward, Raine said the carmaker will introduce another five new models towards the end of the year.

Without disclosing further details, he said two of the pipeline models will be the company's flagship product.

It is understood the pipelines products are likely to be launched in September (three models) and one model each in October and December respectively.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is a joint venture between Daimler AG and Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd.

At the midday break today, shares in Cycle & Carriage were traded 2 sen or 0.63% lower at RM3.16 with 12,000 shares done.