Monday, September 17, 2012

New Concept Car: Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive


Don’t look for any cargo area deficiencies on the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive concept — the automaker says the car will have the same interior space as the regular B-Class cars. The electric Benz concept will debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month, wearing the company’s new model designation for all-electric vehicles: “Electric Drive.”

The Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive concept is powered by a 100 kW electric motor with 229 lb-ft of torque. Overall range is estimated to be about 124 miles and, at least in Europe, 230 and 400 V charging options will be available. Since Daimler owns a small stake in Tesla, reports have suggested the B-Class EV’s motor and battery packs will be provided by Tesla.

The concept has what Mercedes calls “Energy Space,” placing the lithium-ion battery in the floor in front of the rear axle, allowing the electric to have the same interior space as the regular B-Class cars. A production-car version of this electric B-Class is scheduled to go on sale before the end of 2014, and the U.S. market may actually be part of its international rollout. The compact B-Class Electric Drive isn’t the only EV Mercedes will be showing in Paris; the production-spec SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive and Smart Brabus Electric Drive cars will take a bow, as well.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

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