What struck me as I crouched in front of the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which made its world début at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, was how much it looked like a miniature version of the company’s Viano MPV. This is a good thing, because, ironically, space is a great commodity in the compact segment.
One thing is for sure, the new B doesn’t look nearly as stodgy as the car it replaces and, thankfully, also has a much-improved cabin. The interior features a simple yet shapely facia, neat hang-down section incorporating the controls for the climate control and audio system and, as with most Mercedes launched after the SLS AMG, stylish bulls-eye air vents.
Space is great at both the front and back and I found soft-touch material just about most places I could squeeze my hand. The interior’s perceived quality of its fit and finish seems out of the top drawer. Overall, the interior is a vast improvement over its predecessor and I believe the new B-Class will finally be able to live up to expectations with regard to sales volume.
In response to requests from customers, the seating positions of the two front seats are more upright, but the vehicle still offers more headroom than before. The rear is very spacious and apparently offers more legroom than both the S- and E-Class.
The car is available with the option of the Easy-Vario-Plus system, allowing the rear seats to be moves fore and aft by 140 mm and allowing the luggage capacity to vary between 488 and 666 dm³. And the front passenger seat’s backrest can be folded completely flat to allow for the loading of bulkier objects.
The new B-Class features new petrol and turbodiesel engines as well as new manual and automatic transmissions. The new four-cylinder petrol engines mark the launch of a completely new engine series and its combustion process is based on the third-generation of Mercedes’s direct-injection system, which was first introduced last year with the BlueDirect V6 and V8 engines.
In the B-Class, these engines are initially available with a displacement of 1,6 litres (as the 90 kW/200 N.m B180) and the B200 with an output of 115 kW and 250 N.m of torque. The B180 CDI develops 80 kW and 250 N.m of torque at 1 400 r/min, while the B200 CDI has an output of 100 kW and 300 N.m of torque at 1 600 r/min.
New to the B-Class is the company’s 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission as well as a new six-speed manual transmission.
A so-called modular energy space concept means that the new B-Class is ready to accommodate versions with an alternative drive – allowing the main floor to be modified to house lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. In fact, in his opening speech at the show earlier this week, Mercedes president and CEO, Dr Dieter Zetsche, confirmed that the company’s fuel-cell technology will make its début in the compact A- and B-Class.
But, back to the here and now: the new car apparently offers improved handling and driving dynamics thanks to a lower centre of gravity (despite being taller), a new four-link rear axle and an upgraded ESP system. A sport-suspension system is optional and includes a Direct-Steer system.
Safety has also been improved and the B-Class débuts a radar-based collision warning system with braking assistance in the compact segment. It also offers all the usual safety features found on a Mercedes.
The new B-Class makes its European début in November and should be available in South Africa early next year. The company could not confirm the engine line-up, prices or specifications of the local cars.
For a full report on the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, be sure to get a copy of the November issue of CAR magazine.
