Electric Drive – Automobiles Review

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – US Price

Mercedes-Benz US has announced the pricing of the all-new B-Class ED (Electric Drive). The extremely efficient model has a price tag of $41,450 and will hit the market in summer, this year. It will compete versus BMW i3, which is just $100 less ( price $41,350).

Some of the standard extras on 2014 B-Class ED include power front seats, cruise control and a Becker MAP PILOT satellite navigation system. There are also a lot of safety features like Attention Assist, Active Parking Assist and Collision Prevention Assist with adaptive Brake Assist.

The options list is huge, but some of the important extras are the COMAND infotainment system with internet connectivity, GPS navigation and LINGUATRONIC voice control. It comes with a 7” touch-screen display and powerful audio system.

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is powered by a 177HP (132 kW) and 340Nm (251 lb-ft) electric motor. 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 161 km/h (100 mph). The range is around 85 miles (137 km). There is a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplying the electric motor.

When the battery is depleted, it can be fully recharged in 3.5 hours with a 240V charger. The B-Class ED can get 60 mile (96 km) range within 2 hours of recharging.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

April 29, 2014

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive [video]

Mercedes has released a new video clip of their Electric Drive SLS AMG Coupe model. The car runs through the paces at the Ascari race track in Malaga, Spain. It is very interesting to see, how the cars goes fast barely making a sound.

It boasts an exclusive blue paint (AMG electricbeam magno). The SLS AMG Electric Drive Coupe is powered by four electric motors with combined power of 740HP (552 kW) and 1000Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited. The range is up to 250 km (155 miles) on a single charge. The recharging time is just three hours with a rapid charger or 20 hours with a conventional outlet.

The car will actually hit the European market next year. The price is as staggering as the car itself – €416,500. Obviously Mercedes-Benz is trying to get a lot richer than before with such prices and models like SLS AMG Electric Drive and the new astonishing SL 65 AMG.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6HvXd9C-5A

Source: Mercedes-Benz

October 9, 2012

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive US – Price $25,000 to $28,000

Smart will hit the United States market with their latest model – ForTwo Electric Drive coupe and convertible. The cars will be the most affordable electric vehicles in country.

2013 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive will be available to buy next spring. The prices will start from around $25,000 and $28,000 for the both models – Coupe and Convertible. The cars will also be eligible for government rebates of up to $7,500, which is a great saving.

The ForTwo Electric Drive is powered by an electric motor with 75HP (55 kW) and 130Nm (96 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 11.5 seconds and a maximum range of 145km (90 miles) on a single charge. The technical data is decent and hopefully the car works as the manufacturer claims it will.

Source: Smart

October 4, 2012

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept to be Revealed in Paris

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept is the newest addition to Mercedes-Benz‘s family of electric vehicles. It is going to make its first world appearance at the Paris Motor Show, showing that it is a battery-powered electric variant of the B-Class.

Being in just a concept stage of development, this vehicle is one of the first models to incorporate the term “Electric Drive” into its model designation. In future, the lettering will adorn the boot lids of all battery-powered electric passenger cars from the brand.

B-Class Electric Drive offers comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. The difference with the common B-Class is the so-called Energy Space in the floor. It is positioned in front of the rear axle and ensures that the concept vehicle offers the same amount of space inside.

In addition to this, the Energy Space ensures safe and space-saving means of accommodating the powerful lithium-ion battery. The latter also has a beneficial effect on the vehicle’s centre of gravity.

In particular the car is equipped with a 100 kW electric motor whose powerful 310 Newton meters of torque provide for attractive driving dynamics over a range of 200 kilometres. The battery can be charged at any standard domestic 230 V power outlet or at a 400 V high-voltage terminal.

The family-friendly electric car is nearly ready for series production, with the market launch already planned for 2014. The Paris Motor Show will also feature the world premieres of the production versions of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive and the smart BRABUS electric drive.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

September 18, 2012

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive vs. E-bike

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive gives unique zero-emission driving pleasure. What is more, the small city car will soon be available worldwide and that’s not everything. The EV will come along with its new ebike. Great idea, in case you ran out of electricity, which happens very often with these vehicles.

The new ForTwo ED is powered by a 55kW (75PS) electric motor, which gives top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and 0 to 100 km/h in around 13 seconds. The Li-ion battery pack has a capacity of 17.6 kWh, which means a range of up to 140 km (87 miles) in the city. Still, we don’t believe that and you should get the bike, too.

“The smart fortwo has exceeded itself. It has always been a pioneer of urban mobility and with the new electric drive it is once again setting standards with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility,” said Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart.

“With the new generation the frequently cited “electric era” has finally arrived.”, she added.

2012 Smart ForTwo ED will make its official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow and will hit the market in the beginning of the next year. The interesting ebike will hit the market in 2012, too. Just in time to buy it with the electric Smart. As you may suggest, it is not an ordinary bike… it has a small 250 WATT electric motor mounted on the rear wheel with a 0.4 kW battery pack. So, if you can’t get to your destination with the electric Smart, you will eventually use electric bike and if this doesn’t work, too… Just go on foot!

The ebike is priced at €2 900.

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive FrontSide

A comparison of the two smart fortwo electric drive generations

	Second generation	Third generation
Production volume	> 2000 vehicles	Five-figure production volume
Availability	18 markets	More than 30 markets
Output	20 kW constant 30 kW peak	35 kW constant 55 kW peak
Max. speed	100 km/h	> 120 km/h
Acceleration 0 – 60 km/h	6.5 s	5 s
Battery	Lithium-ion battery from Tesla	Lithium-ion battery from Deutsche ACCUmotive

Source: Mercedes-Benz

August 16, 2011

Tag: Electric Drive

2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – US Price

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive [video]

Smart ForTwo Electric Drive US – Price $25,000 to $28,000

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept to be Revealed in Paris

2012 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive vs. E-bike