Success is said to give you wings. The strong demand for all-electric cars and hybridized variations of the internal combustion engine means that Daimler boss Ola Källenius is already optimistic about the year 2030. By then, the proportion of electrified sales in the car business is expected to rise to over 50 percent even faster than planned. With the 250e, AUTOHUB took a closer look at whether the A-Class, as a plug-in hybrid, delivers what Mercedes-Benz promises in terms of everyday electrical capability in the smallest series.
Plug-in hybrids play an important but not undisputed role on the way to ecologically clean mobility. Only with consistent electrical use can the combination of a rechargeable electric motor and a classic combustion engine create a really useful bridging technology in the transition to pure electric vehicles, which Mercedes-Benz labels with the “EQ” label. The part-time streamers, on the other hand, can be recognized by the somewhat idiosyncratic Swabian nomenclature by the name “EQ-Power”.
Hybrid drive and performance are not a contradiction in terms
Ironically, in the outfit of the "AMG Line" aimed at performance, the compact car from Stuttgart with E-license plate and the 250e label on the rear enters the test. But that is only a contradiction at first glance, because the Affalterbach-based Mercedes subsidiary is increasingly putting its sports models on the road with hybrid drives. In the interior of the A 250e, we like the comfortably fitting, classy scented leather seats with red accents thanks to their good lateral support. Like all the materials used, they make a high-quality impression and are well processed in the Mercedes manner.
Smaller trunk than the pure combustion engines
There is plenty of space for the driver and front passenger in the compact sedan. The rear is a bit narrower, but no one has complained about too little footwell or distance to the headliner. For the upcoming bulk purchase in the supermarket, it is less important to juggle with the electric range than with the space available in the trunk. With 345 liters, it offers 45 liters less than the variants with the pure combustion engines.
The combustion engine gets grumpy at full load
The 218 hp system output and a full torque of 450 Newton meters, which a four-cylinder and an electric motor put on the front wheels in our test car, already form an appetizing foretaste of sporty temperament. The fact that the 1,3 liter gasoline engine quickly becomes acoustically noticeable and quite grumpy under load seems forgivable. Thanks to the formidable eight-speed automatic transmission and direct steering, the high curb weight of 1.710 kg (the battery alone weighs 150 kg) only moderately dampens agility.
Recuperation performance in perfection
With courageous access to the reserves of the A 250e, there are short sequences in which the front-wheel drive and the propulsion are crossed, despite the recognizable pursuit of perfection in performance. “Real AMG hybrids” will (have to) do that better. Nevertheless: This A-Class has undoubtedly very sporty genes and range fears can be safely forgotten. Because what the Daimler engineers deliver in terms of charging and recuperation performance is a top hybrid. Our ambitious goals of maximizing the purely electric routes are accomplished with flying colors by the Swabian sports car.
Even overtaking maneuvers are purely electric
Once out of town, even overtaking maneuvers are possible without the combustion engine taking over the helm. Finally a hybrid in which e-energy does not have to be enough as a fig leaf to start up. The little Benz easily cracks the 100km / h mark purely electrically and a little more, without emitting exhaust gases, without running out of air for another 20 kilometers. But then it wasn't quite 50 kilometers.
Range of more than 70 kilometers
In classic, mixed everyday use, which is crucial for the promotion, the hybrid then delivers an electric range potential of more than 70 kilometers. The electrified A-Class draws electrical energy through recuperation that feels much more consistent than the majority of the competing models. The strength of this very effective recovery of braking energy can be adjusted using paddles on the steering wheel. However, this does not go as far as a “one-pedal feeling”, in which the accelerator and its dosage are used to brake downright. That wouldn't suit this sporty, ambitious vehicle either.
Driving programs allow purely electrical focal points to be set
As in every Mercedes-Benz plug-in hybrid, the “Electric” and “Battery Level” drive programs are also available in the A 250 e. The maximum e-performance can be lived out in "Electric". The combustion engine only switches on when you hit the kickdown on the accelerator pedal. Depending on requirements and the “driver profile”, ECO, Comfort and Sport can be used to set either driving dynamics priorities or emission-free, purely electrical priorities.
Five hours of charging at a domestic socket are enough
The frugal Swabian can be recharged relatively quickly in a little over five hours with house electricity from a normal socket. On a 7,4 wallbox with alternating current, it takes 10 hour and 100 minutes from 1 to 45 percent. With direct current charging, the charging time to up to 80 percent is around 25 minutes. With a fully charged battery, the on-board computer shows a power consumption of 18 kWh / 100 km in city traffic. After use on the country road, the average value is 13,00 kWh / 100 km, on the motorway the test car then approves more than 20 kWh / 100 km.
The hybrid treats itself to four liters of super on longer journeys
The consumption values specified by Mercedes-Benz in the data sheet (1,5 liters of super for 100 kilometers) are - as always - not achievable in everyday life. If you only drive this car short distances a day and then consistently plug it in, you can get along without any fuel. With normal everyday use, changing road types and routes, we have a real average consumption of just over four liters of petrol.
Range fears only when boarding in AMG-style
Conclusion: If you drive carefully, the small hybrid is surprisingly frugal. However, if you want to show what the thick chrome tailpipes are all about and want to board in AMG-style, you will get into double-digit consumption regions when maxing out the top speed of 240 km / h. Then the range can suddenly become a problem: The plug-in A-Class tank only holds 35 liters. You have to invest at least 250 euros in a Mercedes-Benz A 31.045,00e. Our test car, including various extras such as the AMG Line, the Navigation Premium Package with MBUX Augmented Reality and “designo mountain gray magno”, came to 60.636,45 euros. A proud price for a compact vehicle, at least with an - depending on the driving style, at least temporarily - ecologically clean slate
