Mercedes BlueZERO

Take a look at the Mercedes of tomorrow! This is the BlueZERO E-Plus – a fully electric MPV that was one of the stars of the German firm's Detroit Motor Show stand. And what's more, it reaches UK showrooms later this year, Auto Express can reveal.

Packing lithium-ion batteries and a 100kw electric motor that boasts an impressive 320Nm of torque, it can cover around 120 miles emission-free before it needs to be re-charged.

Thanks to its sandwich-floor platform – a design that debuted on the original A-Class – all the electrical components are located under the seats. That means the BlueZERO E-Plus is extremely compact – with space for five passengers and 500 litres of boot capacity – and safe too.

Mercedes claims that only two hours of charge will power the BlueZero E-Cell for around 100km (62 miles) and while that might not sound like much, as the car is being aimed solely at city drivers, it should fit the bill for eco-conscious types with short commutes.

The BlueZero will arrive in the UK later this year and is likely to be available on a lease basis, said Mercedes UK CEO, Wilfried Steffen.

For longer runs, Mercedes is also planning an E-Cell Plus version for 2010, which adds a small petrol engine – the three-cylinder unit from the Smart which acts as a generator charging the batteries while on the move – giving it a total range of around 370 miles.

The firm is also planning a fuel-cell variant called F-Cell, which will have a 134bhp motor and a range of around 250 miles. No on-sale date has yet been set for this model.

The BlueZERO range is not all about showcasing the latest eco-friendly powertrains, though. The exterior is a big hint as to how the next generation A-Class and B-Class models will look.