We didn't realise they had this, either.
German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz is going ahead full-steam in its electric vehicle (EV) onslaught, with the marque culling its sole EV offering ahead of the launch of a whole new family of electric cars bearing the three-pointed star.
Mercedes-Benz is set to unveil the new EQ A hatchback at the Frankfurt motor show later this year, and will be sized similarly to the outgoing B-Class. However, while the B-Class Electric Drive shared its platform with its internal-combustion siblings, the new EQ A will be built on bespoke architecture designed specifically for electric mobility. The new platform is expected to bring with it a vastly improved electric range, much better than the current 200km maximum.
The death of the B-Class EV will actually mark the first steps toward retiring the current B-Class lineup, with the model range expected to be updated entirely in 2018. With the EQ A filling the space left behind by the B-Class EV, the B-Class range will only go as far as a plug-in hybrid powertrain and forgo a full-electric model. The B-Class is expected to share its underpinnings and architecture with the next-generation A-Class hatch, and will gain things like Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities along with the usual range of advanced driver assistance systems.
The new B-Class itself hasn’t actually been given a solid timeline, but sources told Autocar that it might be revealed at either the Geneva or New York motor shows in March or April next year, which will place the global unveiling right in the B-Class’ biggest markets. The premium small-MPV segment has been growing significantly lately, with the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Mini Countryman both offering plug-in hybrid options in their lineups.
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