Mercedes-Benz brought a new generation of the Class B (W247), your representative in the medium MPV — sorry… MPV? Are you still selling?
Apparently so. Although, looking at the European market in the first six months of 2018, we see that MPVs continue to lose sales and representatives, a phenomenon that has been repeated in recent years. The culprits? SUVs, of course, that continue to win sales not only to MPVs, but to practically all other types.
growing family
But there's still room for a new B-Class. It's the fourth out of a total of eight in the Stuttgart-builder's family of compact models — Class A, Class A sedan, Class A long sedan (China) have already been unveiled. What remains to be seen is the new generations of the CLA (CLA Shooting Brake will not have a successor, it seems) and the GLA, in addition to the unprecedented GLB, with the eighth model, it seems, to be the seven-seat variant of the now presented Class B .
design
The rival of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has been profoundly remodeled, based on the MFA 2, the same basis as the A-Class. Purity”. The proportions are different from the predecessor, thanks to a smaller front span, slightly reduced height, and larger wheels, with dimensions between 16″ and 19″.
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It is also more efficient from an aerodynamic point of view with a Cx of just 0.24, a notable figure considering the body shape and height of 1.56 m. The driver benefits from an elevated driving position (+90 mm than in the A-Class), with improvements also in surrounding visibility, according to Mercedes-Benz.
The MPV format is the best for family use, and the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class outperforms its predecessor by announcing better dimensions of rear living space and a folding (40:20:40) and sliding (by 14 cm) rear seat , which allows you to vary the luggage compartment capacity between 455 l and 705 l.
interior
But it's the interior that stands out, introducing the same kind of “radical” solutions that we could see in the new A-Class.
We are reduced to two screens — one for the instrument panel and the other for the infotainment system — placed side by side, with three possible sizes. Two 7″ screens, one 7″ and one 10.25″ and, finally, two 10.25″. To these can be added a Head-Up Display. The interior design is also marked by five ventilation outlets, three central, in the form of a turbine.
Mercedes-Benz Class B
It is also through the two screens that we can access many of the features of MBUX, the Mercedes-Benz multimedia system, which integrates the Mercedes me connectivity system, and even has the ability to learn (artificial intelligence), adapting to preferences of the user.
Comfort has not been forgotten, with the star brand announcing new Energizing seats, which can optionally be air-conditioned and even have a massage function.
Technology inherited from the S-Class
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class also comes with Intelligent Drive, a series of driving assistance systems, originally introduced by the S-Class standard bearer.
The Class B thus gains semi-autonomous capabilities, being equipped with a camera and radar, being able to anticipate traffic up to 500 m ahead.
The arsenal of assistants includes the DISTRONIC Active Distance Control Assistant — it provides cartographic support and can predictively adjust speed, for example, when approaching curves, intersections and roundabouts —; the Active Emergency Brake Assistant and the Active Lane Change Assistant. Class B can also be equipped with the well-known Pre-Safe system.
Engines
The engines available at the launch will be five — two gasoline, three Diesel — which can be coupled to two transmissions, both with dual clutches, differing in the number of speeds, seven and eight:| Version | Fuel | Motor | Power and Torque | Streaming | Consumption (l/100 km) | CO2 emissions (g/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B 180 | Gasoline | 1.33 l, 4 cil. | 136 hp and 200 Nm | 7G-DCT (double clutch) | 5.6-5.4 | 128-124 |
| B 200 | Gasoline | 1.33 l, 4 cil. | 163 hp and 250 Nm | 7G-DCT (double clutch) | 5.6-5.4 | 129-124 |
| B 180 d | Diesel | 1.5 l, 4 cil. | 116 hp and 260 Nm | 7G-DCT (double clutch) | 4.4-4.1 | 115-109 |
| B 200 d | Diesel | 2.0 l, 4 cil. | 150 hp and 320 Nm | 8G-DCT (double clutch) | 4.5-4.2 | 119-112 |
| B 220 d | Diesel | 2.0 l, 4 cil. | 190 hp and 400 Nm | 8G-DCT (double clutch) | 4.5-4.4 | 119-116 |
Dynamics
It is a vehicle with clearly familiar purposes, but even so Mercedes-Benz did not refrain from associating the new B-Class with dynamic qualities such as agility.
Sporty-flavored MPV. AMG line also available for Class B
Suspension is defined by a MacPherson layout at the front, with forged aluminum suspension arms; while the rear can have two solutions, depending on the versions. A simpler scheme of torsion bars for more accessible engines, and as an option and as standard on more powerful engines, the rear suspension becomes independent, with four arms, again using aluminum in abundance.
When arrives
The range will be expanded later with more engines and even versions with all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz announces the start of sales as of December 3rd, with the first deliveries taking place in February 2019.