Will This B-Side become a Top-10 Hit?
Though not much attention was paid to a concept that had already run the circuit of international auto shows, Mercedes-Benz brought
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| Mercedes is bringing the production spec B-Class Sports Tourer to Canada this coming fall. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Despite claiming to have developed a class all on its own (Compact Sports Tourer: translated, compact minivan cum crossover SUV), Mercedes is at least one of the first to start bringing MPVs across the Atlantic despite their huge popularity in Europe. Essentially mini-minivans, MPVs (not to be confused with the Mazda minivan of the same name) are smaller in every dimension than a North American minivan, but larger than standard hatchbacks, shorter in wheelbase and length than wagon/minivan crossovers and taller than most compact wagons, making this crossover an ideal configuration for most small families (3-4 people). Plenty of room for gear and gremlins without too much compromise in the
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| Mercedes is one of the first to start bringing MPVs across the Atlantic despite their huge popularity in Europe. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Part of this room and drivability equation is solved by sandwich construction: raise the interior floor and roof, drop some engine and transmission components down beneath the passenger compartment and free up all the space above the floor for kids, diapers, snowboards, shopping bags and pet pigs. Okay, that last may be a bit of a stretch, but inside its compact dimensions (its length is only 4,270 mm (14.0 feet) comes a capacity (2,245 litres), comparable to that of a midsize SUV or wagon. Neat trick, that, good for at least three more clowns over standard hatchbacks.