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Techy Mercedes-Benz B-Class EV with 115-mile range set to hit US streets

Mercedes Benz B Class Electric
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The all-new 2014 Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Drive is the latest in growing list of compact premium electric vehicles hitting the U.S. market.   

The B-Class Electric Drive, which is making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, is powered by an emissions-free high-torque electric motor with an estimated range of around 115 miles (200 km).

The EV, the first luxury battery-powered electric car from Mercedes-Benz in the U.S., features an electric motor with more than 134 hp (100 kW) and a maximum torque of 228 lb.-ft.  For the standard sprint from 0 to 60 mph (100 kmh), the electric-powered B-Class requires less than ten seconds.

The lithium-ion battery is stored in what Mercedes-Benz calls the “Energy Space” in the vehicle’s underfloor to allow for more interior space in the car.

The B Class Electric Drive’s maximum speed is electronically limited to 100 mph (160 km/h) with a driving range of around 115 miles (200 kilometers). The car’s battery can be recharged at any standard domestic power outlet. In the USA, the estimated charging time for a range of about 60 miles (100 kilometers) is less than 2 hours at a more powerful 240 V/40 Amp outlet, the same kind you plug a clothes dryer into.

Even cooler, the driver can access his vehicle through the internet, using a PC or smartphone to check the current charge status of the 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. 

Mercedes Benz B-Klasse Electric Drive, (W 242), 2013
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The car’s major selling point for consumers, however, will likely be the cachet associated with the Mercedes-Benz badge, which the brand seems to have worked intensely on maintaining in every facet of the vehicle.

“The B-Class Electric Drive meets the wishes of many customers for emission-free driving without foregoing the hallmark attributes of a Mercedes-Benz, namely: safety, comfort and, of course, not to forget exhilarating driving pleasure,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, a member of the Mercedes-Benz Cars Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing.

Based on the conventionally powered popular B-Class sold outside of the US, the new B-Class Electric Drive features many of the Mercedes-Benz design elements – most importantly, the brand’s prominent front grille and badge.

The interior of the car features many premium Mercedes features like high-quality materials and a standard Audio 20 system with a 14.7 cm color screen, a twin tuner, an MP3-capable CD player and a USB connection.

The B-Class Electric, which goes on sale in May, is also available with Mercedes’ multimedia system COMAND Online with internet access, navigation and voice control as an optional extra.

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Marcus Amick
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…
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