Mercedes brings PHEV power to compact segment

MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains for its A-Class and B-Class small-car ranges, with the A250e hatch and sedan set to arrive in Australian showrooms in the second quarter of next year.

The A250e employs a 118kW/250Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine mated to a 75kW/300Nm electric motor for combined outputs of 160kW/450Nm, placing it warm-hatch territory.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific told GoAuto it currently has no plans to bring the B250e to Australia.

When the A250e arrives in Australia, it will likely be priced between the $49,500 A250 4Matic and the recently announced Mercedes-AMG A35, which will arrive next month from $67,200.

The A250e’s 160kW/450Nm output helps it sprint from zero to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds while on the way to a top speed of 235km/h.

Its hybrid set-up gives it a super-low official combined fuel consumption figure of 1.4-1.5 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions are pegged at 32-34 grams per km.

The electric motor is powered by a 15.6kWh water-cooled lithium-ion battery weighing 150kg, which allows for a pure-electric driving range of 60-69km and a zero-emissions top speed of 140km/h.

Charging the battery through a 7.4kW AC connection from 10 to 100 per cent takes one hour and 45 minutes, while DC charging can increase battery levels from 10 to 80 per cent in roughly 25 minutes.

Braking recuperation can be dialled in to five different levels via the steering-wheel paddles, while vehicle range can be accurately calculated using the MBUX operating system’s route planning system which takes into account navigation data, topography and speed regulations.

MBUX can also help drivers find charging stations along a route.

As a PHEV variant in the premium small-car segment, the A250e is without any obvious direct rivals, with Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1 Series ranges devoid of a PHEV offering.

As such, the closest rival for the A250e comes in the form of the Mini Countryman S E All4 small SUV, which checks in at $57,200 plus on-roads.

While the addition of an electric motor and battery often results in a loss of rear storage space, Mercedes says only a “minimal reduction” in capacity has occurred thanks to smart packaging, shortening the exhaust, moving the fuel tank into the axle installation space and placing the battery pack under the rear seats.

The hybrid powertrain also allows for the A250e to integrate a feature allowing the climate control to be switched on before entering the vehicle, activated via the user’s smartphone.

Standard equipment is expected to largely mirror the A250, which includes dual 10.25-inch infotainment screens, sports seats, a nine-speaker sound system and a safety suite including autonomous emergency braking, nine airbags, blind-spot assist with exit warning, traffic sign recognition and active parking assist.

Through the first seven months of the year, Mercedes has sold 3028 examples of the A-Class, up 22.4 per cent year-on-year and leading the premium small-car segment ahead of the Audi A3 (1987) and BMW 1 Series (1472).

Local pricing and specification will be announced closer to the model’s launch in the second quarter of next year.