Mercedes-Benz NZ introduces plug-in A-Class
The A-Class 250e also has a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder combustion engine. Photos: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz New Zealand has added a plug-in version of its award-winnng A-Class hatchback that has a pure electric range of up to 73km.
The A250 e plug-in hybrid is priced from $72,300, and has an all-electric mode solely using the cleverly packaged electric motor (75 kW/300 Nm) and on-board battery (15.6 kWh capacity), which can also recoup additional energy during braking.
For city and urban motorists, this could mean largely emission-free motoring on a daily basis. Meanwhile, a highly efficient 1.3-litre, four-cylinder combustion engine (118 kW/250 Nm) comes into its own to complete longer road trips.
Combined, the output of the hybrid powertrain is 160kW and 450Nm. Switching seamlessly between EV and petrol methods creates exceptional fuel economy opportunities in the order of 1.6L per 100km (ADR combined cycle), with tailpipe emissions measured at 34 grams/km CO2.
The A-Class hatch was launched in New Zealand in 2018 and won AA Car of the Year award.
From the beginning, the architecture of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class was engineered to accommodate a PHEV drivetrain. The result is clever integral packaging with minimal practical compromise. The water-cooled lithium-ion, high voltage battery weighs just 150 kilograms and requires only a small reduction to overall boot space to 310 litres.
The A250e has the same platform as the rest of the hatchback range.
This is assisted by the installation of a 35-litre fuel tank, plus an innovative exhaust system with a rear muffler housed in the transmission tunnel and a centrally positioned exhaust outlet under the floor.
For the first time on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started by the electric motor – the A250 e does not have a separate12-volt starter.
The A250 e is equipped with a standard Type 2 plug, and are capable of delivering charge via AC power at a rate of up to 3.7 kW. To maximise the speed of charging at home or work, customers can choose a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home. This can be installed on regular single-phase power (by a qualified electrician) to deliver up to 7.4 kW, or up to 22 kW on three-phase power for further future-proofing.
Optionally, customers can purchase a DC Charging Package ($1990), marking the first time this feature has been made available on a Mercedes-Benz PHEV passenger vehicle.
This introduces fast DC charging at 24 kW via a Type 2 CCS plug. Using DC charging, it may be possible to charge from 10 per cent capacity to 80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes. In addition, the Charging Package upgrades the AC charging system to 7.4 kW.
Customers can choose a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home.
The A250 e drives power to the front wheels via an 8G-DCT Hybrid eight-speed auto, becoming the second model in the A-Class range to receive an eight-speed transmission (in addition to the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 8-Speed). The combination adds up to highly efficient motoring designed to maximise the all-electric range.
However, the impressive combined output of the electric and petrol-powered motors, together with standard switchable driving modes, ensures the A250 e hatch also can live up to the promise of the sporty look and sophisticated feel shared by the entire Mercedes-Benz A-Class range. Acceleration to 100km/h from rest takes 6.6 seconds for the A250 e hatch.
Drive programs ‘Electric’ and ‘Battery Level’ are available. Maximum e-performance can be experienced in Electric. When selected, the combustion engine is only engaged if the driver extends the accelerator beyond the ‘kickdown’ point. In the Electric program the braking recuperation strength can be selected via paddles behind the steering wheel.
Comfort, ECO and Sport modes are also available. The driver is thus able to give priority to electric driving, place the emphasis on driving dynamics in combined drive mode, or give preference to combustion mode in order to save electric range, for example.
