This year, Mercedes-Benz will present the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the A-Class and B-Class, information confirmed by Ola Källenius, head of Mercedes’ R & D department, at the Mercedes-Benz press conference in Geneva.
According to Källenius, who will take over the CEO position from Dieter Zetsche later this year, the cars are more than 200 hp and 400 Nm strong and they must be able to cover at least 50 kilometers electrically. The B-Class plug-in hybrid would be a nice answer to the 225xe Tourer from BMW. The new plug-in hybrid pair of compact models will be sold under the EQ Power label.
Mercedes has not yet provided official technical details on the plug-in hybrid, but according to inside sources the plug-in hybrid version will use the four-cylinder turbo engine of 1.3 liters and 163 horsepower, accompanied by an electric motor that will generate the equivalent of 90 horsepower.
The gasoline engine will move the wheels on the front axle, while the electric unit will be placed on the rear axle in order for the model to offer all-wheel drive. The petrol unit is already available on the A 200 version, and the new hybrid plug-in will be known as the A 250e 4Matic.
In addition, sources from the Stuttgart builder say the Germans are thinking about a more modest version of the hybrid plug-in system, with the same 90 horsepower electric motor, but with a 136 horsepower version of the 1.3 liter turbo.
Mercedes-Benz indicated that the plug-ins introduced this year will have an electric range of around 100 kilometers. Official presentation of the new PHEV versions could take place at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Cristi,
Do you know when/if the PHEV version of the A-Class will be available in the USA?
Thank you.
William
the hatch not but the sedan will come.