2006 Mercedes B-Class Preview

Don't forget the electromechanical power steering I mentioned earlier, which is speed sensitive for easier

During a severe frontal impact the engine is not pushed straight back at the cabin, but rather it slides downwards along the inclined pedal floor panel. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)

control at low speeds and greater stability at high speeds. It also works in conjunction with the Electronic Stability Program to help nudge the car back online when driving on roads with different conditions for each side of the car, a great boon to those of you who spend too much time riding half in the shoulder before cutting in at the last second before the lane ends.

Before I leave you to form your own opinion about this car's obviously superior styling and packaging from the photos provided, a brief explanation of the safety benefits accorded because of Mercedes' vaunted sandwich construction. The sandwich is the centrepiece of the safety principle (the meat of it) in the new B-Class. By cleverly arranging the engine and transmission on a slant partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell, the sandwich

The B200 offers all the necessities demanded by the pragmatic Canadian family who love their minivans, and ingeniously packages it in an efficient and, dare I say, passionate design. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada)

makes a greater effective crumple zone. During a severe frontal impact the engine is not pushed straight back at the cabin, but rather it slides downwards along the inclined pedal floor panel.

Additionally, the high seating position offered by the sandwich concept puts passengers above the impact zone, reducing the likelihood and/or severity of injury in the case of a side impact. Adaptive, two-stage front airbags, belt pretensioners for four seats, adaptive belt force limiters, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat attachments and newly developed head/thorax sidebags round off the passive safety features.