Better late than never, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly working on a new platform for four electric vehicles. The first of the four will be introduced by 2018 – earlier than initial plans, Car UK reports. It will underpin a sedan, a mid-sized SUV, an S-Class-sized vehicle and a large crossover, to be introduced in that order.
To elaborate, the first to be launched in 2018 will be the sedan, slotted in between the C-Class and E-Class. Subsequently, a crossover slotted between the GLC and GLE will follow. Later on, an S-Class-sized EV and an SUV – said to be larger than the GLS – will come after.
The Concept IAA, which we saw earlier at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, may provide a hint of what the new electric-powered vehicles may look like. In relation to that, the first sedan to launch will reportedly measure around 4,700 mm in length and with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.
Said platform is reportedly called the Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), and it will share elements with the Modular Rear Architecture (MRA). These include the body structure, suspension and the electronic platform.
Additionally, the platform is also said to be engineered to handle a 400 kg battery pack to power one or two electric motors. The rear-wheel drive models are said to be powered solely by an electric motor with 402 hp, while all-wheel drive variants will have an additional electric motor in front that produces 120 or 201 hp.
Features such as adaptive e-suspension, e-brakes with wheel-selective recuperation and e-torque vectoring are some to the features expected to make way into these electric cars as well.
The platform will come out of Mercedes’ facility in Bremen, Northern Germany. It is also here that “EVA Phase II” – which involves the S-Class-sized EV and the larger crossover – is to take place. Mercedes expects to sell 20,000 units of each model per year at a price of £70,000 to £80,000 (RM445k-510k).
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
