Keeping with the green theme at the Frankfurt motor show, Mercedes-Benz is also showing a new compact car that combines European styling and a Chevy Volt-like drivetrain the company claims is good for just about 100km of all-electric driving. Meet the BlueZero E-Cell concept, one of three eco-friendlier Mercs using modular design that allows Mercedes-Benz to offer petrol-electric, battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain options in a compact five-seater.

A- and B-Class architecture is evident in its exterior (i.e. functional, not fantastical) which allows Mercedes to diversify its drivetrains without developing a slew of new models. Powered by 101kW electric motor, it generates 298 Nm of torque, enough to propel the car from 0 to 100km/h in “less than 11 seconds,” according to Mercedes. Top speed is limited to 150km/h to maximize range.

The motor gets its juice from a 17.5 kilowatt-hour liquid-cooled lithium ion battery with a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles). As you approach the limits of the battery, a 50kW 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine kicks in to provide juice to the electric motor. (It’s essentially the same system you’ll find in the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma). Mercedes says the battery recharges in 6 hours when plugged into a standard socket.

The drivetrain is sandwiched under the passenger compartment, with the electric motor between the front wheels and the engine between the rear wheels. The small petrol tank sits under the rear seats, while the battery is below the driver. Mercedes says the design keeps the center of gravity low, protects the components and maximizes interior space. Although the E-Cell Plus is just shy of 4.2m long, Mercedes says it can carry five adults and has 500 liters (about 18 cubic feet) of cargo space.

Mercedes didn’t say whether the E-Cell Plus will see production, but it plans to begin producing a small number of F-Cell fuel cell vehicles by the end of the year. Mercedes says a battery-electric vehicle will follow next year, and Smart plans to begin producing the electric fortwo later this year.

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