Plug-in hybrid delivers performance at a price

Mercedes-Benz’s new plug-in hybrid hatchback produces some tempting numbers. Based on the A-Class hatch and sedan, the A250e delivers the sort of grunt once associated with V8s.

There’s 450Nm of torque, not far off the 500Nm of the A45 AMG, the world’s most potent hatch.

Its 160kW power peak is also none too shabby, helping propel the latest addition to the line-up to 100km/h in as little as 6.6 seconds.

The official fuel consumption figure — 1.6 litres per 100km — is thoroughly miserly, too.

But then there’s the price. Almost $70,000 for the hatchback and another $2600 for the sedan.

That circa-$13,000 premium over the regular A250 brings a 75kW/300Nm electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission.

A 15.6kWh battery supplies up to 73km of electric range. Additional punch comes from a petrol engine that can also recharge the batteries.

Rather than the 2.0-litre engine used in the regular A-Class, the A250e gets the 1.3-litre from the A200, which supplements the electric boot, near the AC and DC chargers, which means no spare tyre and a raised boot floor, reducing capacity by about 15 per cent.

The equipment in the A250e is identical to that in the regular A250.

That means two large display screens, 18inch alloys, digital radio, navigation, wireless phone charging and auto emergency braking, lane-keep assist and speed-sign recognition.

But the leather is Benz’s imitation Artico, seats are adjusted manually and smart-key entry is $790.

None of which makes the A250e a standout plug-in hybrid. While Benz managed to price the larger GLC SUV close to its petrol variants, the A-Class numbers are less appealing.