A Night Package may also become available which will offer unique wheels, blacked-out trim (no chrome) and a few other goodies. Another option may be the Sport Package (a likely addition to the Canadian catalogue), which will throw in stylish 18” wheels, a suspension that lowers the ride height by 15mm, as well as specifically geared sport steering. Of the lot, I believe this one to hold much potential.
I was able to drive a Sport Package equipped B 200, and it turned out to be the sportiest non-car Mercedes I've ever driven this side of the defunct R 63 AMG. As a starting point, the 2013 B-Class features a totally new chassis that promises to do much good for the entry-level Mercedes car seekers.
This uber-rigid platform was designed with optimal versatility in mind, and is sufficient and capable in responding to the demands of a future, very sporty, compact 4-door coupe, and yet loses nothing in the Sport Tourer people-and-gear-mover I just drove. Moreover, it was conceived for multiple types of powertrains. This chassis has predestined room for a battery pack, AWD and many more alternatives that will find their way into future compact Mercedes products.
As a starting point, this stiff frame makes the previous car feel out of touch with the demands of today's younger, more energetic drivers. Allow me to put it this way: The new B-Class feels like a Mercedes as opposed to a scapegoat product meant to fill the void between the smart fortwo and the immensely popular C-Class. The differences are night and day.
On the new base, Mercedes bolted a new 4-link rear suspension that positively impacts the drive. Coupled to the independent front MacPherson struts, the B-Class remains stable at speed, and surefooted and flat through corners. With the Sport Package, we're talking performance handling.
Another item that makes the revamped Mercedes a pleasure to drive is the electric variable assist electromechanical power steering. For those of you who follow my writing, you know that I love me a good set of brakes and I can attest that the B-Class impresses here. Front discs are a considerable 320mm in diameter and are crunched by a delightfully firm pedal that remains extremely modulable. A pleasure, I tell you.
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| The 2013 B-Class features a totally new chassis that promises to do much good for the entry-level Mercedes car seekers. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |
I was able to drive a Sport Package equipped B 200, and it turned out to be the sportiest non-car Mercedes I've ever driven this side of the defunct R 63 AMG. As a starting point, the 2013 B-Class features a totally new chassis that promises to do much good for the entry-level Mercedes car seekers.
This uber-rigid platform was designed with optimal versatility in mind, and is sufficient and capable in responding to the demands of a future, very sporty, compact 4-door coupe, and yet loses nothing in the Sport Tourer people-and-gear-mover I just drove. Moreover, it was conceived for multiple types of powertrains. This chassis has predestined room for a battery pack, AWD and many more alternatives that will find their way into future compact Mercedes products.
As a starting point, this stiff frame makes the previous car feel out of touch with the demands of today's younger, more energetic drivers. Allow me to put it this way: The new B-Class feels like a Mercedes as opposed to a scapegoat product meant to fill the void between the smart fortwo and the immensely popular C-Class. The differences are night and day.
On the new base, Mercedes bolted a new 4-link rear suspension that positively impacts the drive. Coupled to the independent front MacPherson struts, the B-Class remains stable at speed, and surefooted and flat through corners. With the Sport Package, we're talking performance handling.
Another item that makes the revamped Mercedes a pleasure to drive is the electric variable assist electromechanical power steering. For those of you who follow my writing, you know that I love me a good set of brakes and I can attest that the B-Class impresses here. Front discs are a considerable 320mm in diameter and are crunched by a delightfully firm pedal that remains extremely modulable. A pleasure, I tell you.
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| On the new base, Mercedes bolted a new 4-link rear suspension that positively impacts the drive. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com) |