Mercedes-Benz prices 2015 B-Class Electric Drive

The U.S.-bound B-Class Electric Drive offers a 115-mile range.

After launching its latest B-Class in Europe back in 2011, Mercedes-Benz is finally bringing the compact hatchback to the United States. However, there's a twist: The B-Class will be exclusively offered in the USA as an electric vehicle. Dubbed the B-Class Electric Drive, the new model will represent Mercedes' first U.S.-market EV. Just like the concept version that debuted at the 2012 edition of the Paris show, the production B-Class Electric Drive is powered by an electric engine that produces 134 horsepower and 228 lb-ft of torque. Electricity is supplied by a Tesla-sourced lithium ion battery, which doesn't impinge on cabin space thanks to its placement beneath the floor. The setup is good for a zero-to-60 mph run of less than ten seconds, but the statistic potential EV buyers will likely be more interested in is the electrified B-Class' estimated 115-mile driving range. Mercedes quotes the charging time for a range of 60 miles at less than two hours using a 240-volt outlet. Owners will be able to keep track of vehicle range, charge levels and nearby charging stations via PC or smartphone, and a remote "pre-entry climate control” feature allows for individually-timed pre-heating or cooling. The interior is largely standard B-Class fare, which means a handsome dashboard highlighted by circular vents and a flowing trim panel. Changes include a number of EV-specific info screens for the center-mounted infotainment screen, in addition to a instrument cluster-mounted power display that keeps track of energy consumption and recuperation.

The B-Class Electric Drive is expected to begin arriving in showrooms this summer with a base price of $41,450, a figure that makes the B-Class $100 more expensive than the BMW i3, its arch rival.

Standard features will include power front seats, cruise control, a Becker Map Pilot navigation system and a host of safety features like Active Parking Assist and adaptive Brake Assist.

EV Strategy Mercedes' decision to bring the B-Class over as an electric-only model might seem odd at first, but hybrids and EVs tend to enjoy stronger sales when they're stand-alone models (think Toyota Prius). That's one of the main reasons why Ford decided to offer hybridized variants of the C-MAX in the states instead of creating a second-gen Escape hybrid, and it's likely a large part of why the U.S-market B-Class will only be sold in Electric Drive form.