2014 Mercedes B-Class Electric Car On Sale In Summer From $41,450

Just over a year after its unveiling at the 2013 New York Auto Show, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is getting ready for its U.S. showroom arrival.

The compact electric hatchback will go on sale in the U.S. this summer with a base price of $41,450.

The Electric Drive is a version of the B-Class hatchback sold in Europe, and is powered by a Tesla Motors-developed electric motor and 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

The motor develops 132 kilowatts (177 horsepower) and 251 pound-feet of torque, higher than the 100 kW (134 hp) and 228 lb-ft figures Mercedes quoted at the 2013 unveiling.

Mercedes says the B-Class Electric Drive will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 100 mph.

Estimated range is 85 miles. A full recharge from a 240-volt Level 2 source takes 3.5 hours, but 60 miles of range can be added after just 2 hours of charging.

A sandwich-floor design contains the battery pack, preserving interior and luggage space while keeping the pack low for optimal weight distribution.

Befitting its three-pointed-star badge, the B-Class comes relatively well equipped with navigation, the mbrace2 infotainment system, and Active Parking Assist among the standard equipment.

However, with options, the average transaction price for this plug-in will likely put it over $50,000--and with a heavy hand on the optional-equipment list, it could reach as high as $56,000.