Mercedes B-Class unveiled
26.08.2011 - Paul Myles
(10)
Mercedes-Benz is putting the emphasis on sport with its new B-Class compact people carrier, while also boosting the car's safety credentials.
Due to arrive in the UK next March, the new B-Class is claimed to be much more agile, in keeping with the factory's description of it as a 'sports tourer', while still matching existing standards of comfort and accommodation.
Design features include a smoothed out side profile to increase aerodynamic efficiency - reducing the drag to the lowest level in its class. Other exterior features include a revised front grille, valance, eye-brow headlights and a large access tailgate with low loader sill.
The car has had its height reduced by five centimetres and the passenger seat height lowered in relation to the road by 8.6 centimetres to help access.
These changes have helped to lower the B-Class's centre of gravity and, with new suspension and upgraded electronic stability control, are expected to make the car more agile. An optional sports package (standard on the Sport model), lowering the car by 20mm and providing sports suspension and a Direct-Steer system, should sharpen the car's handling still further.
The new B-Class features a new series of petrol and diesel engines as well as new manual and automatic transmissions. The ECO stop and start function will be standard on all B-Class models.
Petrol options run initially with 1.6-litre motors producing 119 and 153bhp, while diesels with have a 1.8-litre displacement supplying 106 and 133bhp.
A world first in the compact people carrier segment is the radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist as standard. Visual and acoustic alerts will warn the driver to obstacles and prepares Brake Assist for optimum braking response.
The PRE-SAFE preventive occupant protection system, which automatically activates in an accident or under emergency braking and crash avoidance manoeuvres, is also added to the new B-Class.
The system includes reversible belt tensioning, the closing of side windows and sliding sunroof and adjustment of the fully electric front passenger seat with memory function to an ideal position for maximum restraint.
