Mercedes-Benz USA is fairly certain that the B-Class’s incremental sales increase for the brand would not be worth the time or brand image ding to bring to the US market.
Is this true in the latest swoopy generation? It would surely find buyers with a $25,000 price– butwhat about $35,000?
Price is the clear barrier to entry here. A seven-seat version might make a compelling MPV or light crossover upgrade….
As the ML-Class is set to change its name to the GLE-Class… perhaps the future may bring this car stateside as the BLE-Class.
No word yet on when or if the US-available B-Class Electric Drive will receive these updates.
2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS: THE PIONEER IN BETTER SHAPE THAN EVER
The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class
The pioneer in better shape than ever
Stuttgart. In terms of both design and technology, the second generation of the B-Class car has heralded a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz. More than 350,000 of the sports tourer have been sold since the market launch in late 2011. Now the best-seller from Mercedes-Benz has undergone a major facelift including exterior and interior enhancements along with attractive, redefined design and equipment lines.
The breadth of choice is unique in this segment: three economical diesel models with consumption statistics ranging from 56.5 to 78.5 mpg, two efficient petrol engines at between 42.8 and 52.3 mpg and an alternative drive system (B-Class Electric Drive), as well as optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. What is more, with a Cd value of less than 0.25 the sports tourer continues to be the role model for its class. Sales of the new B-Class commence on 12 September with deliveries in November. Prices start from £22,575.00 OTR for the B 180 manual.
“As the first member of a completely new generation of compact class, for us the B-Class paved the way for great success in this vehicle segment. The pioneer is now in better shape than ever,” says Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars responsible for Marketing & Sales. “The B-Class is the perfect (family) car for anyone who attaches importance to practicality, comfort and safety, but at the same time doesn’t want to miss out on sportiness or driving dynamics.”
More light: LED High Performance headlamps now available
The easiest way to recognise a facelifted B-Class with a petrol or diesel engine is from the front: a ew bumper, wide radiator trim with two louvres and now integral daytime running lamps in the headlamps give the vehicle a more organic and dynamic appearance. The rear bumper has also been modified and now features a contoured covering and an additional chrome trim strip. LED High Performance headlamps create a more striking look, both day and night (optional extra, not available for the B-Class Electric Drive). These increase safety at night due to their wide beam pattern and light of a colour similar to daylight. Bicolour tail lamps featuring LED technology provide emphasis and make the vehicle more visible.
A high-grade, functional interior underscores the B-Class’s premium quality claim. The facelift gives the vehicle a more exclusive, up-to-date feel and boosts the scope for individualisation. Mercedes-Benz has enhanced a number of high-quality details in the B-Class such as the large, free-standing head unit display, which is now larger, with a diagonal of up to 20.3 cm (8 inches), and the stylish dial layout for the instrument cluster. There is a choice of 12 colours for the ambient lighting, allowing different moods to be created.
KEYLESS-GO is new as an optional extra. This access and drive authorisation system with KEYLESS-GO starting function allows the vehicle to be opened, started and locked simply by carrying the electronic key with you.
Safety: autonomous partial braking if the risk of a collision is detected
When it made its debut, the B-Class redefined the standard of safety in the compact class with a variety of new driving assistance systems, some of them included as standard equipment. These functions have now been enhanced and new assistance systems added to give the driver more support. COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS extends the functionality of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with autonomous partial braking to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. The standard ATTENTION ASSIST feature has also been upgraded: operating within an extended speed range (37 – 124 mph), this now uses a five-stage bar display to visualise the driver’s current attention level.
“Mercedes connect me” links the B-Class to its environment
Next-generation telematics offer more intuitive operation; functions are more accessible due to animated menus and visual representations on a larger display in the head unit.
“Mercedes connect me” links the B-Class to its environment. Basic Mercedes connect me services can be used with the standard communications module.
The available services include, among others, accident recovery, as well as service maintenance and incident management. In an accident, the
Mercedes-Benz emergency call system automatically connects the occupants with the Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call Centre and sends the position and condition of the vehicle to the rescue operations centre. A rescue vehicle can then be dispatched immediately. The system works automatically but can also be triggered manually.
The special Remote Online equipment enables customers to connect with their vehicle anywhere and at any time via the URL “connect.mercedes.me” and to query by smartphone the fill level of their fuel tank, for example.
Mercedes connect me services are even more extensive for the B-Class Electric Drive: Via “connect.mercedes.me”. The current charging level of the lithium-ion battery and current vehicle range can be queried comfortably from a distance. The range of Mercedes connect me services is rounded off by the ability (depending on the temperature) to preheat or precool the vehicle ready for a specified departure time.
COMAND Online customers are also able to receive real-time traffic information courtesy of Live Traffic Information.
A wide spectrum: petrol and diesel engines, all-wheel drive and alternative drive systems
In terms of efficiency, the new B-Class continues to set benchmarks with the best Cd value in its segment. The choice of efficient engines is extensive – four diesel engines, four petrol engines and two models with alternative drive systems. Also available are the B 180 and B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Editions.
Thanks to the new B 200 CDI 4MATIC, the pleasure of all-wheel drive and safety now start at around 130 g CO2/km instead of over 150 g CO2/km (B 220 4MATIC) as previously.
The B-Class Electric Drive uses the B-Class’s modular ENERGY SPACE body concept: The underbody houses the lithium-ion battery (B-Class Electric Drive). Due to this intelligent packaging method, the five-seater model has been able to retain the generously proportioned luggage compartment for which it is known.
All diesel models at a glance:
| Model | B 180 CDI* | B 180 CDI ECO | B 200 CDI*/*** | B 220 CDI**/4MATIC*** |
| Number of cylinders/arrangement | 4 in-line | 4 in-line | 4 in-line | 4 in-line |
| Displacement (cc) | 1461 | 1461 | 2143 | 2143 |
| Rated output (hp at rpm) |
109 at 4000 | 109 at 4000 | 136 at 3200-4000 [3400-4400] | 177 at 3600-3800 |
| Rated torque (Nm at rpm) | 260 at 1750-2500 | 260 at 1750-2500 | 300 at 1400-3000 | 350 at 1400-3400 |
| Combined fuel consumption from (mpg) | 68.9 (70.6) | 78.5 | 65.6 (70.6) [56.5] | 68.9 [56.5] |
| Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) | 108 (104) | 94 | 111 (104) [130] | 107 [130] |
| Efficiency class | A (A+) | A+ | A (A+) [B] | A+ [B] |
| Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) |
11.6 (11.9) | 11.6 | 9.9 (9.8) [9.8] | 8.3[8.3] |
| Top speed (mph) | 117 (117) | 117 | 130 (130) [128] | 139 [136] |
*Figures for model with 7G-DCT in round brackets, ** standard with 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission,
***figures for 4MATIC version in square brackets
All petrol models at a glance:
| Model | B 180 | B 200** |
| Number of cylinders/arrangement | 4 in-line | 4 in-line |
| Displacement (cc) | 1595 | 1595 |
| Rated output (hp at rpm) |
122 at 5000 | 156 at 5300 |
| Rated torque (Nm at rpm) |
200 at 1250-4000 | 250 at 1250-4000 |
| Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km) | 50.44 (52.3) | 50.44 (52.3) |
| Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) | 129 (125) | 130 (125) |
| Efficiency class | B (B) | B (B) |
| Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) |
9.3 (9.2) | 8.6 (8.4) |
| Top speed (mph) | 124 (124) | 136 (136) |
*Standard with 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission, **figures for model with 7G-DCT in brackets
All models with alternative drive systems at a glance:
| Model | B-Class Electric Drive** |
| Number of cylinders/arrangement | – |
| Displacement (cc) | – |
| Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) | 132/180 |
| Rated torque (Nm at rpm) | 340 |
| Fuel consumption, combined, from | 16.6 kWh/100 km |
| Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) | 0 |
| Efficiency class | A+ |
| Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) | 7.9 |
| Top speed mph | 99 |
*Figures for model with 7G-DCT in brackets, **provisional figures
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
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