The next-generation Mercedes-Benz is getting an all-electric variant, but this time instead of wearing the E-cell name, it’s now an E-Drive (which stands for electric drive) – the name that all future electric vehicles from Mercedes will carry.
Next week at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive will be on display. According to some previous reports, the electric drivetrain in the B-Class Electric Drive is based on a system developed by Tesla. The B-class E-Drive has a 134 hp electric motor with about 230 lb-ft of torque. Estimated range for the B-Class Electric Drive is 124 miles from a lithium-ion battery pack – there was no specification as to whether that estimate is based on the European or the North American test cycle.
In the press release, Mercedes-Benz hints that the B-class Electric Drive is almost production ready and that a market launch is already planned for 2014. No specifics were mentioned as to what markets that launch would include.
