The tough answer
Always wanting to offer more, car builders have become very crafty. Nowadays, every thing goes: luxury minivans, high-performance SUVs, etc. The vehicle that I will talk to you about is a compact people mover from one of the most recognizable luxury carmakers in the world. In essence, this vehicle could be seen as a beginner's type luxury car or as a third set of wheels for the kids.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is promoted as being the answer to those looking for prestige and cargo capability without paying to large a price. The B-Class is an entry-level luxury vehicle that Benz hopes will take some steam away from brands like Acura, Audi and Volvo. As the price of oil continues to rise, manufacturers are attempting to ensure that they will be able to retain their clientele with a wider range of economical automobiles.
A compact family hauler with a large three-pointed star on the grille
I personally enjoy the B-Class' very European styling. The shape and
dimensions make it an attractive urban commuter. What stands out the most is the car's prominent front end; the grille is oversized, almost aggressive, yet tasteful. The other styling element that stands out is the swooping beltline. From the "A" to the "D" pillar, the line rises 6 or 7 centimetres. A plus for our market is that the only available body style is a 5-door hatchback.
The interior is roomy, well assembled and versatile. The seats, in every position, are very firm and pleasingly supportive. Nearly all materials are top-notch including the cloth that covers said seats. As a side-note, me and all of my passengers found the entrance manoeuvre odd; unlike many vehicles, the floor of the B-Class is flat and inline with the door sill. Therefore, we literally slide into the car as opposed to drop in. The vehicle is designed this way for impact protection: the drivetrain slides under the passenger compartment to avoid intrusions. All of the small Mercedes' instrumentation and controls are legible and easy to access. The B-Class is impressively well insulated from road noise.
A Benz moved unlike any other
There are 2 versions of a similar engine. Both of them displace 2.0L from a 4-cylinder configuration. The base models are equipped with a normally aspirated versi
on and it develops 134 hp. The other is turbocharged and puts out 193 hp. Base transmissions are, respectively, a 5-speed and a 6-speed manual and both engines can be delivered with an optional Continuously Variable transmission (CVT). Unlike every other Mercedes-Benz products in North America, the B 200 (so named because of the engine displacement) is driven by the front wheels. The suspension is independent up front and semi-independent in the rear. Brakes consist of 4-wheel discs. Steering is electrically assisted.
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| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The all-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is promoted as being the answer to those looking for prestige and cargo capability without paying to large a price. The B-Class is an entry-level luxury vehicle that Benz hopes will take some steam away from brands like Acura, Audi and Volvo. As the price of oil continues to rise, manufacturers are attempting to ensure that they will be able to retain their clientele with a wider range of economical automobiles.
A compact family hauler with a large three-pointed star on the grille
I personally enjoy the B-Class' very European styling. The shape and
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
The interior is roomy, well assembled and versatile. The seats, in every position, are very firm and pleasingly supportive. Nearly all materials are top-notch including the cloth that covers said seats. As a side-note, me and all of my passengers found the entrance manoeuvre odd; unlike many vehicles, the floor of the B-Class is flat and inline with the door sill. Therefore, we literally slide into the car as opposed to drop in. The vehicle is designed this way for impact protection: the drivetrain slides under the passenger compartment to avoid intrusions. All of the small Mercedes' instrumentation and controls are legible and easy to access. The B-Class is impressively well insulated from road noise.
A Benz moved unlike any other
There are 2 versions of a similar engine. Both of them displace 2.0L from a 4-cylinder configuration. The base models are equipped with a normally aspirated versi
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |