RASTATT (Germany): Mercedes-Benz has reached its new milestone in its global production network as it begin production of its plugin hybrid drive for its compact vehicles — the A 250 e hatch and A 250 e sedan.
The plant is located in Rastatt, southern Germany, which also produce conventional powertrains on the same line as well.
The plugin hybrid powertrain — dubbed EQ Power by Mercedes-Benz, provides the A 250 e with a 1.33-litre four-cylinder engine that's combined with a 75kW electric motor.
The pairing of the engine with the motor results in a total output of 218hp and a 450Nm of torque.
Managing power delivery to the front wheels is an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, which allows for a 0 to 100kph sprint time of just 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 235kph.
The hybrid module which drives the A-Class is extremely compact: the electric motor is integrated into the eight-speed dual clutch transmission. For the first time on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the combustion engine is started exclusively by the electric motor - the compact hybrids do not have a separate starter.
Powering the electric motor is a 15.6kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged via alternating or direct current (AC or DC).
The high-voltage batteries are produced from the wholly-owned Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Accumotive.
Since 2012, battery systems for electric and electrified vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and smart as well as commercial vehicles are produced in Kamenz in the east of Germany.
The site in Kamenz, consisting of two battery factories, is state-of-the-art and one of the largest in the global automotive industry.
In total, the battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars will consist of nine factories at seven locations on three continents.
