The news is advanced by British Autocar, citing internal sources in the engine department of Mercedes-Benz, which ensure that the current generation of Mercedes-Benz Class A , already on sale, will follow the path of electrification.
Ensuring that they had access to internal documents of the star brand, the publication reveals, however, that the choice of those responsible for Mercedes-Benz, in relation to the Class A, passes, not for 100% electric versions - this should be left to the future EQA — but by plug-in hybrids (PHEV), that is, with plug-in rechargeable batteries.
According to the same sources, the plan is to launch not one, but two PHEVs, which will be given the designations of A220e 4MATIC and A250e 4MATIC, with the difference between them being only in the power made available.
Proposed with the same 1.3 l petrol engine as the main engine — the block recently developed by Daimler and Renault — supported by an electric motor, this new propulsion system should guarantee, among other advantages, all-wheel drive depending on the needs of the moment. Since, while the combustion engine will be in charge of sending power only and only to the front wheels, the electric will endorse its torque to the rear wheels.
As for the powers, the 1.3 l should guarantee, in the A220e, something like 136 hp, while in the A250e, the power made available by the combustion engine should reach 163 hp. In both cases, the contribution of the electric motor should be around an additional 90 hp.
Autocar also advances that these new hybrid engines will be available not only in the five-door bodywork, but could also reach the future MPV Class B, as well as the GLB crossover, both based on the MFA2, the same platform as the Class A.
As for presentations, the same publication states that the first Mercedes-Benz A-Class PHEV could appear in October, during the Paris Motor Show.