Mercedes-Benz A 250 e PHEV NZ pricing announced

Mercedes-Benz has introduced its A 250 e hatch plug-in hybrid (PHEV) priced from $72,300 excluding on-road costs.

The PHEV has up to 73km in all-electric mode and marks the first time rapid DC charging is available for a Mercedes-Benz PHEV passenger vehicle.

It has a 75kW/300Nm electric motor and a 15.6kWh capacity battery which can also recoup additional energy during braking, a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder engine (118kW/250 Nm) assisting longer road trips.

Combined, the output of the hybrid powertrain is 160kW and 450Nm, producing a fuel economy around 1.6-litres per 100km with tailpipe emissions measured at 34 grams/km CO2.

The water-cooled lithium-ion, high voltage battery weighs 150kg and requires only a small reduction to overall boot space to 310 litres, assisted by the installation of a 35-litre fuel tank, plus an innovative exhaust system with a rear muffler housed in the transmission tunnel and a centrally positioned exhaust outlet under the floor.

For the first time on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started by the electric motor – the A 250 e does not have a separate 12-volt starter.

It has a standard Type 2 plug, capable of delivering charge via AC power at a rate of up to 3.7kW.

Customers can choose a Mercedes-Benz Wallbox Home which can be installed on regular single-phase power (by a qualified electrician) to deliver up to 7.4kW, or up to 22kW on three-phase power for further future proofing.

Optionally, customers can purchase a DC Charging Package for $1990 (Manufacturer’s Recommended Retail Price), marking the first time this feature has been made available on a Mercedes-Benz PHEV passenger vehicle.

This introduces fast DC charging at 24kW via a Type 2 CCS plug. Using DC charging, it may be possible to charge from 10% capacity to 80% in 25 minutes. In addition, the Charging Package upgrades the AC charging system to 7.4kW.

The A 250 e drives power to the front wheels via an 8G-DCT Hybrid eight-speed auto, becoming the second model in the A-Class range to receive an eight-speed transmission (in addition to the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, with an AMG Speedshift DCT 8-Speed).

Acceleration to 100km/h from rest takes 6.6 seconds for the A 250 e hatch.

Drive programs ‘Electric’ and ‘Battery Level’ are available. Maximum e-performance can be experienced in Electric. When selected, the combustion engine is only engaged if the driver extends the accelerator beyond the ‘kickdown’ point. In the Electric program the braking recuperation strength can be selected via paddles behind the steering wheel.

Comfort, ECO and Sport modes are also available.

The Mercedes-Benz A 250 e has standard safety features, 18-inch Aero alloy wheels, the intuitive MBUX infotainment system with voice control and a fully digital widescreen cockpit, NTG6 navigation, ARTICO upholstery, smartphone integration including wireless charging and LED headlights.

A key comfort feature is pre-entry climate control via the Mercedes me Connect suite of services from a connected smart phone, which also includes remote vehicle status monitoring.

Standard safety equipment includes Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keep Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, nine airbags, PRE-SAFE accident anticipation system, and Adaptive High Beam Assist.

The Mercedes-Benz A 250 e hatch is on sale now and available to order from Mercedes-Benz retailers.