Back to the future?

[Alphaman]

Hi all -- long time lurker, first time poster.

Could it be true? A 2019 model? And yes, the ED is mentioned! Anyone have any corroborating evidence?

Back to the future: 2019 Mercedes B-Class reveals all its secrets

 

[JeffRay]

Thanks for this pretty red picture. I have not seen or heard anything but I have the feeling that given the meh experience they had with the modified B class, the next MB electric may be a different model, maybe off the GLA model which is similar but more sporty.

Fingers crossed for something nice with 200+ mile range.

 

[Alphaman]

It is pretty, isn't it?
I'm wondering if this "hiatus" between model years, plus the increase in length of the vehicle (as referenced in the article, being 43cm longer) may indicate that it will get an all new power- and drive-train.
Of course, the big question is -- will this return to the North American market?

 

[JeffRay]

I think MB still has the Eurodelivery program where one can pick up the car in Germany, put some mileage on it and then they put it in a ship to deliver to your local dealer. This may or may not be a way to pick up a model that is not sold in North America.

Am I sure, not really but it was back in the day.

 

[Alphaman]

I think MB still has the Eurodelivery program where one can pick up the car in Germany, put some mileage on it and then they put it in a ship to deliver to your local dealer. This may or may not be a way to pick up a model that is not sold in North America.

Am I sure, not really but it was back in the day.

Man, I almost did that when I got my C230K back in '03. I was going to take my 2 kids for a couple weeks through Europe in our new car -- would've been a great trip! But with the start of the Iraq war, plus my previous car dying, Europe got put on hold.
It would be super if such were the case, but I think the car has to be certified for the US market for you to be able to import it. Of course, if it is coming back with these updates, the European Delivery Program is indeed a real thing. Right now, nothing shows up under the Electric category on that page.

 

[Cardonman]

Hey y’all!!
I was “over there” (song) this past summer. Lots and lots of B Klasse cars. Gas, diesel and EV. Many as taxis. I recall seeing a UTube vid on a B Class EV test mule out in the cold in Sweden/Norway. Don’t know what happened. However, according to AutoBild (German mgz.) the 2020 MB GLB SUV is being tested for that option. Maybe for the EU first. It’s a sweet truck that will compete against the VW Tiguan. It states that it can be configured as a 7 seater. It does have the new UI that is pretty sweet. Still being tested though.

My $.02,
C

 

[JeffRay]

Read somewhere that the B class will be used for a hybrid gas and electric with a small battery that will allow 35 miles of range. Similar to what MB does now with other models.

For now, the next MB all EV will be the EQC which looks like a slightly squashed GLC.

 

[FordAnglia]

Hey y’all!!
I was “over there” (song) this past summer. Lots and lots of B Klasse cars. Gas, diesel and EV. Many as taxis.
My $.02

We'll have to wait and see what happens in the USA. I posted this a few months back about the successor to the B250e. Looks like the direction is towards a hybrid, which solved the limited range issue with an all electric.

I suspect that MB brought the B250e to the states for several reasons; to have an EV product for loyal customers, get their US dealers ready for an EV future, and meet USA CAFE goals (thus allowing the continued sale of lower MPG ICE vehicles)
Partnership with Tesla Motors for the B250e's battery and motor was very smart! Since then MB may have built their internal IP, or may not yet be able to match Tesla's lead, and see hybrid drive trains as a bridge.

Going forwards the limited range of the B250e is a serious barrier to wider adoption. My use-case is probably the exception (Access to HOV lanes, free charging at work, and having an ICE vehicle available on the weekends. I did also rent a SUV for a 750 mile trip that wouldn't be possible with the B250e)

A second issue is the limitation of AC (L1 or L2) charging, while newer EVs have moved to Fast DC connection.

I'm not a fan of hybrid vehicles, in the belief that more bits can go wrong, and needing specialist service would drive up the operating cost. Looks like current hybrid EV/ICE vehicles have much smaller battery size, which just makes the EV range argument weaker.

Similarly, I'm not attracted to alternative fuel vehicles, such as CNG, LPG, hydrogen or E85, due to supply. Even if the HOV access benefit came with these alternatives.

Living in the San Francisco Bay (aka Silicon Valley) there is an abundance of Tesla vehicles, and also a significant Tesla Supercharger network. Non-Tesla EV chargers are readily available, too. Some retailers have recognized that an EV station is a good way to draw foot traffic to their store, and as an EV user I have ready access to three third-party networks (Blink, ChargePoint, EV-GO) Newer public EV chargers are likely to be Fast DC, which blocks those of us looking for AC (L1 or L2) hook ups.

However, living in Northern California, with it's third-world utility power issues, does give this EV user a new headache!

Peter,

 

[FordAnglia]

Found a current article (Sept 2019) from Car and Driver (I'll watch the linked video tonight)

The Mercedes-Benz EQ brand—the extra letters stand for "Electric Intelligence"—is supposed to be made up of 10 electric vehicles by 2022, ranging from small Smart cars to large SUVs. Until the other vehicles get going, the EQC goes through a production process that no other Mercedes vehicle does. Nicknamed the "double marriage," this refers to the two steps that give the EQC its electric powertrain. The first "marriage" is when two power packs are joined together, and the second is when the packs are inserted into the body instead of an internal-combustion engine that other vehicles on the same line might be getting.

The EQC is an electrified version of the compact GLC crossover. It is built on a modified platform that the automaker uses for the GLC crossover and the sedan, coupe, and wagon C-class models. The all-wheel-drive EQC's battery-powered powertrain produces 402 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to move the EV from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds, Mercedes claims. The 80.0-kWh lithium-ion battery can be fast-charged from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes and has a range of up to 293 miles on the NEDC test scale.

It's not only the powertrain that's new in the EQC. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system has been given a complete update. It is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and uses a 10.3-inch display.

The production video ends with the words, "The Next One Is Yours." If, in fact, you want that to be true, know that the EQC starts at the equivalent of about $79,000, and it is on sale in Europe now. The EQC is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in late 2020.

Peter,

 

[Cardonman]

Well guys/gals:
This just in from MB HQ.

“Thank you for your interest in the EQC — an innovative new direction for Mercedes‑Benz which is getting a lot of attention! It launched in Europe and other markets several months ago and has generated so much interest worldwide that Daimler AG has had to make a strategic decision to first support the growing customer demand for the EQC in Europe. As a result of this decision, the U.S. market launch date of the Mercedes‑Benz EQC will be rescheduled.

We will continue keeping you updated on the latest news of this groundbreaking release as we gear up for the U.S. debut of the EQC in 2021.”

I think the Model Y and the CyberTruck will eat MBs lunch In the next 2 years

 

[alexr]

Sadly, we leased our 2017 B for three years with the explicit plan to replace it with one of the many EQ models that would be shipping by 2020.

Sadly, Mercedes is incompetent:

• They turned off the Connect service that provided battery status, well before the "five years" that were included with the car. (Two years in our case.)
• The EQ models will have slow AC chargers in them, making it impossible to charge entirely in the 4 hour window ChargePoint offers at my office.
• They failed to deliver.

Since our lease is up in a few days, I'm stuck debating if we should pay the residual and hang onto our B or if we should take one of the reasonably-comparable Hyundai Kona EVs that are available here.

 

[chuckh007]

What did you decide to do ......buy the B or the Kona or the e-Niro ??

 

[Cardonman]

My dear club member!
Get rid of it while it’s still operable!!! I’ve driven a Model 3 now for 3 months and can't put into words the joy I get out of it. The B Class is a sweet car with so much potential. Unfortunately, as you stated MB has dropped virtually all support for this model. How sad!! I have great memories of my 14’ but any Tesla will model will should care for your needs. The Tesla network has NO comparison. I’m NOT saying they, it or the $price are perfect but once you own one you will understand.

 

[JeffRay]

Alexr,

Assume by your absence that you returned the leased B250e to MBFS. It is what I plan to do with mine in September. Like Cardonman, I have enjoyed my B250e since 2014 but there are only a few good reasons to stick with it longer when new tech is coming on line. Given the low mileage on mine, I would consider retaining it not at the fixed residual price but at a number sub $15K. Then I would skip the extended warranty and keep my fingers crossed that my limited driving would keep me in the safe zone in terms of the motor. Not too concerned about the battery.

Lots of next gen evs coming on line in next 18 months. All will have some kind of first model year problems. Tesla is the only one who have passed this risk zone. I don't like the Tesla styling and I prefer higher seats so I will keep looking at newer alternatives (under lease if first model year).

 

[hallcp]

What kills me is that the new Mini-electric and the new Honda-E both have a range in the 120's (no EPA no's yet). Maybe people won't notice the 8-yr old technology in these cars!? Not to mention the venerable Smart EV still soldiering on in Europe (EPA range 57 miles!).

 

[alexr]

After careful consideration of our options, we bought out the lease and kept the B. We have put just over 33K miles on it and it still feels entirely new.

No, Tesla is not a consideration without CarPlay. Full stop.