2013 New York Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz B-Class electric drive

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the B-Class electric drive at the 2013 New York Auto Show. This car is basically a fully electric version of the B-Class Tourer and is Merc’s way of giving the green brigade comfortable luxury motoring.   

Let us get to the most important bits first. The B-Class electric drive is powered by an electric motor that produces over 134bhp (100Kw) and around 309Nm of torque.  The battery has a range of 200 kilometres that varies depending on how the car is being driven.  It can be recharged on any standard plug point of 240 volt (for USA) and just two hours of charging will give you a range of 100 kilometres. Merc’s Formula 1 expertise is also put to use with system that recharges batteries during braking. 

The interiors and the overall design are pretty much the same as the standards B-Class save for the functions related to the car being an electric vehicle. The batteries have been located below the floor in a bid to keep space in the cabin and the charging point replaces the standard fuel filler housing. 

Mercedes-Benz has also allowed users to access their car via the internet to check various statistics related to the car as well as access some functions like the maps or air conditioning system.  The B-Class electric will go on sales in the US market from May 2013. No price or launch date has been announced so far though.