B-Class spearheads Mercedes electric range

Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive models to star in Paris.

Mercedes-Benz looks to be aiming to 'electrify' the Paris Motor Show with a trio of electric car debuts coming under the 'Electric Drive' umbrella. In future, all battery-powered electric passenger cars from Mercedes-Benz, smart and Mercedes performance division - AMG - will wear the 'Electric Drive' badge on their boots.

Making its first outing will be a concept version of the Electric Drive B-Class, packing a 100kW (134hp), 310Nm electric motor that Mercedes reckon is good for 200 kilometres of dynamic driving. The lithium-ion batteries (mounted in the so-called Energy Space in the floor) can be recharged from a standard domestic socket or a 400V high-voltage outlet.

Mercedes-Benz says the Concept B-Class Electric Drive is almost ready for production, with a launch slated in for 2014.

The Paris Motor Show will also host the world premieres of the production versions of the smart BRABUS Electric Drive and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar.

Published on: September 17, 2012