2020 Mercedes-Benz A250e And B250e Plug Into The Heart Of The Compact Segment

By combining a small 1.3-liter four-banger, co-developed with Renault-Nissan, with an electric motor and a battery pack, Mercedes-Benz has created plug-in hybrid versions of the new A-Class Hatch, Sedan and B-Class.

Nothing to get your heart racing so far, but the powertrain delivers a total output of 218 PS (215 hp / 160 kW) and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. That’s almost hot hatch territory, with the Volkswagen Golf GTI boasting a 245 PS (242 hp / 180 kW) 2.0-liter TSI.

The A250e, which is its official name, is only 0.3 seconds slower to 100 km/h (62 mph) than the GTI needing 6.6 seconds. Give it enough space and it will max out at 235 km/h (146 mph) using both the ICE and electric motor, or 140 km/h (87 mph) in near complete silence. The plug-in hybrid hatchback and MPV max out at 235 km/h (146 mph), with the Sedan being 5 km/h (3 mph) quicker.

Also Read: 2020 BMW 1 Series Vs. Mercedes A-Class: Which Premium Hatch Is More To Your Liking?

What is basically a hot hatch disguised as an environmentally friendly car has a total driving range of 68 km (42 miles), in the WLTP test cycle, with the 15.6 kWh battery fully charged.

On a good day and given you use the electric motor, Benz claims that it will burn only 1.5 l/100 km (156.8 mpg US / 188 mpg UK) and emit 34 g/km of CO2. The combined electrical consumption is 15 kWh/100 km. The equivalent Sedan and B-Class in the same spec return 1.4 and 1.6 l/100 km (168-147 mpg US / 201.8-176.6 mpg UK), respectively.

Aside from the addition of the plug port on the right rear quarter panel and 250e badge on the tailgate, the models blend in with the rest of the family. The carmaker has also updated the MBUX infotainment system, giving it new functions, like the ability to search for nearby charging stations.

The A250e and B250e are celebrating their public premiere these days at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we’ve got some live pictures with the displayed examples in our Gallery below.