Mercedes Benz B-Class Electric Drive

[widodh]

Some people (especially in Europe) might actually prefer the slighty smaller B-class over the Model S. And again, Mercedes has a huge base of dedicated customers who only buy MB, nothing else.

 

[VolkerP]

The economics of scale hopefully help much more with development of the Gen III platform than with production cost of Model S. Coming from there, I can see how Tesla now has confidence into bringing Gen III cars to production as early as 2015.
Coming a year after the B-Class E-Cell, it will be interesting to see how these two compare and what unique features Tesla plans to make Gen III stand out.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Revealed at the Paris motor show:

Paris motor show: Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive | Autocar

 

[TEG]

gg,
I was confused for a moment by the round object under the rear seat in that cutaway vehicle associated with the article you linked.
A Tesla motor in back? For a front-wheel drive vehicle? Then I read the sign above "natural gas".
So, I think they are not showing the E-cell version in that picture...
(Unless perhaps the red one in back is the electric)

- - - Updated - - -



This shows the E-cell battery and drivetrain:
http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-614307-1-1535251-1-0-0-1536674-0-0-11694-0-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Ah, you are right, TEG. Here's a (lame) video of the reveal (at the 7:40 mark): Press conference Mercedes - Mondial de l'Automobile 2012

Wish Mercedes mentioned "Tesla-supplied drivetrain" or something on those lines rather than treating Tesla no differently from any of the other (anonymous) parts suppliers. Toyota has been more generous to Tesla on the RAV4-EV front.

 

[Johan]

Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Coming To U.S.: Report (Compliance Car Watch)

36kW battery pack.

 

[TEG]

Well, it seems both Daimler and Toyota invested in Tesla to get batteries and powertrains for CARB compliance cars... (B-Class EDrive & RAV4EV)
Have we seen signs that Toyota or Daimler plan any high volume electric drive models?

 

[Johan]

Well, it seems both Daimler and Toyota invested in Tesla to get batteries and powertrains for CARB compliance cars... (B-Class EDrive & RAV4EV)
Have we seen signs that Toyota or Daimler plan any high volume electric drive models?

Toyota has outright said they will not go for BEVs (other than the California compliance cars). They are making so much money on their hybrids I guess. They don't want to steal their own customers, so to speak, is my guess. Maybe smart in the short run, but IMO they will loose in the long run... One food for thought is what if all of the big names in auto have their "undercover" BEV programs going with development, research etc. etc. going but they are toning this down until whenever they believe the market is ready/the time has come? And that they are also "on the fence" with regards to maybe fuel cells or what ever new technology that might come along?

 

[Doug_G]

Worst-case scenario is they get caught with their pants around their ankles when (not if IMHO) the market suddenly swings towards EVs. I believe that will happen eventually once the economics are clearly on the side of the EV. That will "merely" take some technological development and already-rising gas prices.

 

[Tharo]

New pictures of Mercedes B-Class E-Cell, with Tesla Batteries and tecnologi?

Link: Spied: Mercedes-Benz Ramping Up Development of Production B-Class Electric Drive - Carscoop

 

[jcstp]

Mercedes B-Class Electric (TESLA drivetrain)

Coming Soon: The Tesla-Based Mercedes - TheStreet

 

[rolosrevenge]

This is wonderful news.

 

[Jkam]

I guess Tesla still doesn't have to worry about any competition for aesthetics. This seems like a glorified Leaf/Prius. I would have hoped that Mercedes would have come out with something with better styling. I don't know the specifications of the car, but I think they missed the boat on looks.

 

[David Johansson]

That's one butt ugly car. How can they even put a Mercedes logo on it?

 

[Tesla 940]

That's one butt ugly car. How can they even put a Mercedes logo on it?

Not nearly as bad as that BUTT UGLY model M when they put it out 10+ years ago. I could only assume that people were "blinded" by the Mercedes name.

 

[TEG]

Given the speculative nature of the article (lacking official details), I think the author did a good job of pondering what might be coming.

I wonder what (if any) quick charging it might offer.
Rav4EV had neither Tesla standard (supercharging), nor Toyota standard (CHAdeMO).
Could this new B-Class EV get a SAE style Combo-connector given Daimler's involvement with that effort?

 

[mdh]

That's one butt ugly car. How can they even put a Mercedes logo on it?

They clearly don't want to sell too many units ... must be a "compliance" car... just like the Rav4EV.

 

[Bipo]

They clearly don't want to sell too many units ... must be a "compliance" car... just like the Rav4EV.

Absolutely not! I remember Elon saying the Mercedes B class Electric Drive is going to be mass-produced (20.000 cars per year or so). I cannot find the video, but I remember it clearly. I will keep searching.

 

[doug]

Please also see these threads:

Mercedes Benz B-Class E-Cell

Tesla: Mercedes A-Class EV

 

[Norbert]

Funny how he estimates the battery size...