There’s one thing that bothers me with the B-Class, and that’s Mercedes Benz punting it as a pukka rival to conventional hatcbacks a la Golf and A3. After the recent launch in Durban I have very few reservations about the all-new W246 B-Class, which makes a lot of sense, considering that Mercedes-Benz is primarily targeting a younger audience. I’m young, and I like it, but the new B-Class deserves credit for being what it really is – different.
I mean different as in different from traditional rivals and different from before. I can’t help but admire the effort from the engineers in Stuttgart. Realising that the old A-Class and first generation B were not AS well liked as they had hoped (that doesn’t mean that they didn’t manage to sell a few though), with some people going as far as calling them “non-Mercedes, Mercedes cars” – they cleaned the slate and started anew.
New platform, new looks
The result is a totally new platform which the new B also shares with the new A-Class, which has actually turned out to be a car we’re really looking forward to. On the outside, the B-Class is visibly more squat than before – it is wider and its roofline has been lowered too. There are fewer generic MPV traits on the outside as well; the gentle slope on the tailgate and that headlamp design could fool the untrained eye into mistaking the B-Class for an E-Class Estate, and the character creases in the door panels add a dynamic appeal – changes that enhance what are unquestionably improved looks.
Unmistakably Mercedes-Benz inside
Opening the solid and weighty driver’s side door and sitting down, I immediately felt comfortable. The new B-Class has more of a “bathtub effect” than before which, again, aids in the perception of sitting inside of and between, rather than on top of or over all the working bits. The facia is more upright from side to side, which makes the steering position more vertical if you’re of average height – another step away from MPV-dom which is appreciated.
There’s little to complain about inside as well, as significant improvements to bring the A- and B-Class in line with the perceived quality traditionally associated with the three-pointed star marque become apparent. Much of the interior design is aesthetically pleasing, but one of its downfalls is actually where the B-Class tries to be a bit too modern. The centrally mounted multimedia screen that has been styled like a tablet computer is a fixed unit, but looks like it should fold away. It comes down to personal preference, but I think it interfered with the rest of the design.
As for the rest of the cabin, there’s obviously lots of headroom that comes with the B-Class’s raised profile, making it a bit of an oddball, but that impression of space results in a comfortable position behind the wheel. On the matter of space, all B-Class models now come with run-flat tyres as standard, so there’s extra room behind the rear seats for loading luggage, and if the standard 486 dm3 doesn’t’ suit your needs, then the optional Easy-Vario-Plus loading system includes sliding rear seats that can move an extra 140 mm forward, freeing up as much as 666 dm3 with the rear seats still in their upright position.
Just diesels for now
As the petrol engines are being adapted to suit the quality of fuel currently available in South Africa, we were only able to sample the two turbodiesels available on the launch. The cheaper B180 CDI, which isn’t too far down on the B200 CDI in terms of outputs, was my chariot for the afternoon, and while I wasn’t blown away, I was still surprised at the smooth and refined nature of the BlueEfficiency-optimised oil-burner. The model I drove was also equipped with the new 7G-DCT transmission which isn’t exactly geared for outright performance, but if comfort and economy are your main concerns – then you can’t really go wrong with this system.
What did annoy me was the slow build-up of momentum when what I really expected from keeping the B180 in its maximum torque range was a decent shove – especially apparent when faced with overtaking opportunities. As it turns out, even with 250 N.m of torque available as low as 1 400 r/min you have to be generous with the revs to experience all 80 kW – which is a disappointment by modern standards for blown diesels anyway. But like I said, if you’re willing to keep left for the majority of your motoring adventures, then the B180 will sip under 5 litres/100 km, as indicated later on my drive by the real-time consumption function on the trip computer.
Of course, befitting a Mercedes-Benz, the B-Class features a host of passive and active safety equipment, but since I’m not in the habit of testing those appliances anyway I paid more attention to the options fitted to the launch unit after we stopped for lunch. The likes of a R6 000 Harmann Kardon sound system, R11 600 Night Package, which adds tinted rear glass, 18-inch wheels and darkened lamps to the sports package (which costs R1 600 less) and Intelligent Light System makes more sense to me than paying R10 000 for a panoramic sliding sunroof or R20 000 for the Comand Online navigation system that also allows the driver to read his/her Facebook news feed while on the go.
I really do like this new B-Class, and while I appreciate Mercedes-Benz’s efforts to make this a little more sporty, I don’t think they should market this offering as a rival to smaller hatchbacks. Yes, they’ve shaken off some of the disgusted looks from traditionalist older types for the B-Class being what it is, but I’d rather just be happy that it’s so niche it might manage to attract potential customers from more than one segment. The diesels aren’t too bad for the purposes of economy, but I’m going to reserve judgement on the B-Class until the petrol models arrive later this year.
Specifications*
Model: Mercedes-Benz B180 CDI BE
Engine: 1,8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 80 kW at 3 200 – 4 600 r/min
Torque: 250 N.m at 1 400 – 1 800 r/min
0-100 km/h: 10,7 seconds
Fuel consumption: 4,4 – 4,7 litres/100 km
CO2: 122 g/km
Top speed: 190 km/h
Price: R325 000
Service plan: 6 year/120 000 km
* Manufacturer’s figures.
