One of the most common complaints we receive is that Mercedes doesn’t
bring their fuel efficient models to the U.S., but that is all about to
change with their electric car lineup, including the all-new 2014
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive. Making its world debut at the New
York International Auto Show last week, the Electric Drive offers a
stylish design, luxury interior and a high-torque electric motor for
completely emission-free driving. With a range of 115 miles, the 2014
B-Class Electric Drive is easily going to be the best choice for city
driving families, carpools and commutes.
The 2014 B-Class Electric Drive will launch in the U.S. first early
next year but will be available for pre-orders this fall. What else
does Mercedes-Benz have for Electric, check out the new smart fortwo electric drive and the SLS AMG E-Cell.
If you don’t have time to read the full press release, check out the
quick reference guide below and then head straight to the photo gallery
to get a good look at what to expect from the all new emission free
model.
Quick Reference Guide: 2014 B-Class Electric Drive:
Customer Availability:
- B-Class Electric Drive – Early 2014
Performance:
- 2014 B-Class Electric Drive
(134 hp/100 kW, 228 lb.-ft.)
Standard Feature Highlights:
- 28 kWh lithium-ion battery
- Charging time range for 60 miles: 2 hours
- 0-60 in less than 10 seconds
- COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST w/ Adaptive Brake Assist
- Audio 20 with 5.8″ color screen
- MP3-capable CD player and USB connection
- Becker MAP PILOT
- LED daytime running lamp
Optional Feature Highlights:
- COMAND Online with internet access, navigation and voice control
- Blind Spot Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Active Parking Assist
Powerful and lively drive system
The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is based on the
conventionally powered B-Class, which has become a bestseller in many
countries since its market debut in 2011. As a particularly versatile
vehicle concept, the B-Class also allows environmentally friendly
driving at the Mercedes level – with its innovative electric drive. In
the USA, the vehicle will only be introduced with battery electric
drive.
Quiet and locally emission-free drive power is provided by an
electric motor with more than 134 hp (100 kW). Typically for an electric
drive, the maximum torque of 228 lb.-ft. is available right from the
first tap on the accelerator pedal – this roughly corresponds to the
torque delivery of a modern gasoline engine with a displacement of 3.0
liters. This results in decidedly powerful acceleration from a standing
start. For the standard sprint from 0 to 60 mph (100 km/h), the
electric-powered B-Class requires less than ten seconds. This guarantees
superior driving performance and highly dynamic, exhilarating driving
pleasure in any situation.
The powerful lithium-ion battery is accommodated in the “Energy
Space” in the vehicle’s underfloor – both space-saving and safe. Thanks
to this intelligent packaging, the five-seater retains the familiar,
generous interior and luggage space of the B-Class.
Emission-free even over longer distances
The maximum speed is electronically limited to 100 mph (160 km/h) –
in the interests of operating range. The range is around 115 miles (200
kilometers), according to the respective driving cycle. This means that
in addition to emission-free urban driving and short-range trips, longer
journeys can also be undertaken without any problems, such as the
distances covered on a daily basis by commuters. The battery of the
B-Class Electric Drive can be recharged at any standard domestic power
outlet. In the USA, the charging time for a range of about 60 miles (100
kilometers) is less than 2 hours at 240 V/40 A.
While the car is on the move, the electric drive itself contributes
to a favorable energy balance by converting kinetic energy into electric
current on the overrun and during braking, and feeds this energy into
the battery (recuperation).
Dynamic Mercedes-Benz design
Refined sportiness together with visual appeal – the new B-Class
Electric Drive is another example of the self-assured and dynamic
Mercedes design, with powerful, tense lines and finely styled details.
The front and rear sets the tone for the vehicle’s width, with a wide,
prominent front grille, headlamps extending into the vehicle sides, a
wide rear window, two-piece tail lamps and a large tailgate with a low
loading sill. The side sill panels and striking bumpers with bar-shaped
LED daytime running lamps exude dynamic. The charging socket is
inconspicuously installed behind the charging flap.
Sporty interior with premium details
The interior underscores the high comfort standards of Mercedes-Benz.
Highquality materials and finely structured surfaces, premium details,
and precise finishing, emphasize the fact that electric driving is
defined at a very high level according to the philosophy of
Mercedes-Benz. The three large, round air vents in the center with their
distinctively designed cross-form nozzles are sporty features that
contribute to the emotional design language of the interior. Above the
air vents is the display screen for the telematics system which appears
to be free-floating – a modern, eye-catching feature of the cockpit.
When it comes to information and communication systems, the B-Class
Electric Drive offers convenience and outstanding functionality that is
signature luxury typical of Mercedes-Benz. Standard onboard features
include the Audio 20 with a 14.7 cm color screen, a twin tuner, an
MP3-capable CD player and a USB connection. Navigation is provided by
the Becker® MAP PILOT. The multimedia system COMAND Online with internet
access, navigation and voice control is available as an optional extra.
Functions specific to electric vehicles have been added to the
instrumentation of the B-Class Electric Drive. A power display in the
dial instrument has been added on the right. Its pointer rises in a
clockwise direction from the green to the red area when power is being
consumed, and drops below the zero line when the vehicle is feeding
recuperative energy back into the battery.
Full connectivity
Its modern technology ensures that the B-Class Electric Drive is not
only sustainable (locally emission-free) and agile (because of its high
torque and acceleration), but also fully networked. Remote check-up and
remote configuration of the vehicle is conveniently possible via the
Vehicle Homepage. The driver can easily access his vehicle through the
internet, using a PC or smartphone. In this way, it is possible to check
the current charge status of the lithium-ion battery or to verify the
vehicle’s current range on a map. The planned route can also be
displayed, immediately showing whether and where the vehicle can be
recharged along the way. The range of services for connectivity is
rounded off with a pre-entry climate control option offering
individually timed pre-heating or cooling. This advance air conditioning
makes the B-Class Electric Drive the unrivalled benchmark in its
segment.
Big on safety
Mercedes-Benz applies its familiar, high safety standards to the
B-Class Electric Drive. Thanks to the innovative “Energy Space”, the
battery is safely accommodated under the floor for crash protection. In
addition, Mercedes-Benz already equips this innovative electric car with
the radar-based accident warning system COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST
with adaptive Brake Assist as standard. This assistance system gives the
driver a visual and acoustic warning of recognized obstacles, prepares
him for braking action and assists him with the braking process as the
situation requires. In this way it significantly reduces the danger of a
rear-end collision. Additionally, more modern driver assistance systems
are available – among them Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and
Active Park Assist.
Electric driving made by Mercedes-Benz
Locally emission-free electric vehicles such as the new B-Class
Electric Drive are a major part of the Mercedes-Benz strategy for
sustainable mobility. The Stuttgart-based premium manufacturer is
reasserting its claim to leadership in this sector with electric cars
which are fully suitable for everyday use. These include the B-Class
F-CELL, and the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive (TBD for USA). The smart
fortwo electric drive which launched last year in Europe received a
positive response from customers. Since the middle of last year, much
more than 1,000 vehicles have been produced and delivered. The all-new
smart fortwo electric drive will be available in U.S. stores beginning
May 1, 2013. The new B-Class Electric Drive will be available in the USA
from early 2014 and then the European launch will follow.
Article and image courtesy of eMercedes Benz.
