Mercedes-Benz is planning to add another product to its growing collection of EQ plug-in hybrids. Word is the fourth-generation A-class will get a PHEV hatchback variant dubbed the A250e. The gas-electric four-door will still run the same 1.3-litre turbocharged engine as the A200, good for 158 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque.The electric portion of the power comes from a motor mounted on the gearbox producing 101 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft. of torque. Those drivetrains in combination, says Benz, will lead to similar performance stats as the gas-powered A250. It’s expected Benz will use the same eight-speed automatic recently introduced in models like the new GLB, only tuned to handle the extra electric torque. Powering the electric motor is a 15-kWh lithium-ion battery with the capacity to deliver 60 km of pure electric driving and a top electric speed of 140 km/h. That battery sits beneath the rear seat, next to the hybrid’s fuel tank, which is 10 litres smaller than that of the standard A250. DC charging should be supported at a max rate of 22 kW, but we’ll have to wait until September for confirmation on that. The A250e is scheduled to be revealed in full at the Frankfurt auto
Origin: Mercedes-Benz is bringing out an A250e plug-in hybrid hatchback