Mercedes-Benz’s latest find is sporty with all the space you’ll need for your family or leisure activities. Combining the style of the three-pointed star with ample space for five, who needs boring station wagons anyway?Mercedes-Benz’s latest find is sporty with all the space you’ll need for your family or leisure activities. Combining the style of the three-pointed star with ample space for five, who needs boring station wagons anyway?
by Hailey Philander
Mercedes Benz’s expansion war is well and truly on – the most recent additions to the stalwarts line-up have been the B- and R-Class MPVs, with the B-Class now available in South Africa. Richard Sloman media manager for Mercedes-Benz SA on Friday confirmed that the larger R-Class would not be made available here.
The B-Class slots snugly in the Mercedes line-up between its bread-and-butter C-Class and the minuscule A-Class. Even though it is due for replacement at the end of 2007, the C remains one of the most popular choices among consumers. And the latest version of the A-Class, though streets ahead of its predecessor, failed to impress me on virtually every level.
Not so for the new B-Class that arrives here in two modes – B 200 CDI and B 200 T. Pictures do this vehicle very little justice. Described during the media conference as “a bit of MPV, hatchback and sedan rolled into one”, this Compact Sports Tourer (or mini MPV) is rather pretty to look at.
Compared with the smaller A-Class, It certainly seems the more complete vehicle with its longer front end and rounded rear. Apart from its PT Cruiser-like humped engine hood, the sleek coupe-like profile shows some inspired creases and detailing, while the view from the rear is more like that of a conventional MPV.
The B-Class goes head-to-head with a range of both five- and seven-seaters, including Renault’s Scenic/Grand Scenic, the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso and the acclaimed Audi A3 Sportback. Available as a five-seater only, the cabin is deceptively roomy with a cavernous boot section. The 2,8 m wheelbase and 4,27 m overall length provide a very comfortable interior, with passenger space comparable to the flagship S-Class’ levels according to Mercedes-Benz.
The B-Class’ interior immediately reflects its Mercedes-Benz heritage, even though the company’s traditional specification levels – Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde – do not apply. This model is only offered with the basic chrome exterior package and a sports package.
Its list of standard equipment is extensive and includes cruise control, light and rain sensors, one-touch power windows, multifunction steering wheel, ventilated and illuminated glove compartment, Easy Vario seat configuration and a steering wheel manually adjustable for height and reach. Extras include a full leather interior (R 7 000) and Parktronic (R 5 500).
The optional sports package (R 9 000) includes a chrome trimmed grille, 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension and an oval stainless steel exhaust outlet, while on the inside it adds an instrument panel with white backlighting, leather trim additions and sports pedals.
While the B-Class’ interior provided a pleasurable environment, its star performers were undoubtedly the new two-litre turbocharged petrol motor, tweaked diesel motor, fresh six-speed manual gearbox and new continuously variable transmission (R 12 000 extra).
We drove the very capable 2,0-litre turbodiesel fitted with the seamless CVT transmission first, which proved to be an enjoyable cruiser on a 200 km stretch of tar. The B 200 CDI’s powerplant produces 103 kW at 4 200 r/min, and peak torque of 300 N.m spread from 1 600 to 3 000 r/min. It hurries from zero-to-100 km/h in 9,6 seconds and tops out at 200 km/h. The frugal turbodiesel is estimated to burn between 5,6 and 5,8 l/100 km of travel.
However, as much fun as the turbodiesel was to drive, the winner on the day certainly was the B 200 T equipped with the 2,0-litre turbo petrol motor. Its 142 kW of power at 5 000 r/min puts it within easy reach of the current crop of hot hatches and its maximum torque of 280 N.m is available from 1 800 through 4 850 r/min.
The petrol engine’s reserves seemed inexhaustible and turbo lag was undetectable. Mated with Merc’s slick new six-speed manual gearbox (standard on all Bs), tackling long stretches of open road presented thrill-a-minute motoring.
The sports wagon streaks from zero-to-100 km/h in 7,6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 225 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated between 7,9 and 8,2 l/100 km.
Though the ride heights differ between the petrol and diesel models, the McPherson strut suspension arrangement (with a new parabolic rear axle) and the standard selective damping system also maintained high comfort levels with both models offering cosseted ride quality. And while the B-Class also employs the sandwich body construction on the A-Class, it does not feel especially top heavy or have that annoying truck driver-like seating position. But its sporty nature also belies its MPV construction, which is easy to forget when pushing into a corner a bit too enthusiastically.
Not that this should pose too much of a problem. All models are fitted with a surplus of safety equipment including ESP, ASR and ABS with brake assist.
The B-Class will only be offered with the two engine derivatives, and while an AMG version is being developed, this performance model is not planned for South Africa.
The B 200 T costs R266 000, while the B 200 CDI costs R272 000. Both models are sold standard with Mercedes-Benz’s MobiloDrive 120 and a two-year/unlimited km warranty. Service intervals are 15 000 km for the petrol and 20 000 km for the diesel engine with no intermediate oil change.
