Mercedez Benz News Mercedes to Launch A250e Plug-In Hybrid Hatchback

[Drew Dowdell]

The EU and China get a version of the A-Class that we don't get here in the states, the A200 hatchback. The A200 is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 158 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.  Coming in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, Mercedes will be unveiling a plug-in hybrid version of the car dubbed the A250e.  The A250e will sport the same 1.3 liter engine, but will have an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission that provides 101 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. 

Power for the electric motor comes from a 15 kWh battery stored under the luggage area floor and a reconfigured rear suspension. In the European cycle, the car is said to be able to go over 37 miles in electric only mode with a top EV speed of 87 mph. DC fast charging should be available. Performance of the A250e is suppose to match the performance of the non-hybrid A250 model, a version not sold in the U.S. (We only get the A220 and A35 AMG)

Why are we taking the time to tell you about a vehicle that is unlikely to be sold in the U.S.?  Because it is just the first in a series of plug-in hybrid powertrain upgrades that will be coming to the Mercedes-Benz lineup.  Expect to see a version of this powertrain in the CLA and the just launched GLB over the coming year.  Those models are more likely to make it to the U.S. market.

 

 

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[smk4565]

It’s the Mercedes-Benz of plug-ins.

[Drew Dowdell]

10 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

It’s the Mercedes-Benz of plug-ins.

but it's not an S-Klasse, so it must be junk. 

[smk4565]

6 minutes ago, Drew Dowdell said:

but it's not an S-Klasse, so it must be junk. 

It’s better than a Prius.

Next generation S-class is looking high tech, and there is that AMG S73 hybrid rumor out there.

[G. David Felt]

29 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

It’s better than a Prius.

Next generation S-class is looking high tech, and there is that AMG S73 hybrid rumor out there.

Vaporware till we have one to compare to the Prius here. Prius beats this car till it is released and compared apple to apple.

The A class has not proven to be any better than the rest of the competition from Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, VW, etc.

[Drew Dowdell]

2 hours ago, smk4565 said:

It’s better than a Prius.

Next generation S-class is looking high tech, and there is that AMG S73 hybrid rumor out there.

 

1 hour ago, dfelt said:

Vaporware till we have one to compare to the Prius here. Prius beats this car till it is released and compared apple to apple.

The A class has not proven to be any better than the rest of the competition from Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, VW, etc.

One thing it's better than a Prius on.... no CVT.

[riviera74]

Mercedes has an image to protect here.  If the A250e sells well in Europe and China, expect the technology to come here in the GL series of CUVs within two years.  Hybrid sedans, on the other hand, are doubtful here.

[Drew Dowdell]

On 7/3/2019 at 3:30 PM, riviera74 said:

Mercedes has an image to protect here.  If the A250e sells well in Europe and China, expect the technology to come here in the GL series of CUVs within two years.  Hybrid sedans, on the other hand, are doubtful here.

But this setup is for the transverse FWD models... so it's limited to A-Class, CLA, GLA, GLB.   They'll need to get the 9-speed auto as a hybrid (which I think they already have done) for the other GL models.