Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a front-engined, front-wheel drive or four-wheel-drive, compact executive MPV, marketed as a sports compact tourer. It shares a lot of similarities with A-Class, but with bigger dimensions and engines. It has been in production since 2005 in three generations.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class First Generation (2005-2011)
The B-Class (Codenamed W245) is defined by front-wheel drive, sandwich floor construction and parabolic rear suspension, as well as two-box design, first for the drivetrain, and second for the passenger and luggage compartment. It gains plenty of its interior space through its height, at 1,613mm.
All models include a broad range of passive safety systems like ABS, ESP, traction control, active lighting system, cornering lights, and headlamp assist. Just like on the A-Class, in the event of a violent frontal collision, the engine slides beneath the passenger compartment, which prevents it from entering and injuring the occupants.
Trim Levels Available- Standard Trim, SE, Turbo and Sport
- Standard trim equipment includes: ABS, air conditioning, alarm, audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, CD, electric mirrors, folding rear seats, front electric windows, front fog lights, heated mirrors, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, remote locking, tracking control, steering wheel rake and reach adjustment, space saver spare wheel
- SE adds alloy wheels, cloth seat trim, rear electric windows, optional cruise control, manual sunroof, parking sensors
- Spot adds alloy wheels, partial leather seat trim, rear electric windows, optional cruise control
- Turbo adds alloy wheels, partial leather seat trim, rear electric windows, sports seats
Powertrain Options Available in Australia
- B200 2.0L I4, petrol engine, producing 100kW (134hp) and 185Nm of torque, a top speed of 196km/h and 0-100km/h in 10.1 seconds, 5-speed manual or automatic transmission
- B200 Turbo, 2.0L I4, petrol engine, producing 142kW (190hp) and 280Nm of torque, a top speed of 225km/h and 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds, 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
- B180 2.0L I4 CDI, diesel engine, producing 80kW (108hp) and 250Nm of torque, a top speed of 183km/h and 0-100km/h in 11.3 seconds, 6-speed manual or automatic transmission
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Second Generation (2011-2018)
In 2011, Mercedes unveiled the second generation of B-Class (Codenamed W246) at the International Motor Show in Germany. Assembly was done in Rastatt in Germany, and Kecskemet in Hungary, with 230,000 units sold by the summer of 2013.
B-Class received new and updated petrol and diesel engines with the 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Despite larger dimensions than the first generation, it had a lower drag coefficient. New safety systems were added, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist system and frontal collision prevention brake system.
Trim Levels- Standard, SE, Sport, AMG Line, Electric Art, Exclusive Edition
- Standard package includes 3x3 point rear seat belts, ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, CD, driver and passenger airbag, electric mirrors, folding rear seats, height adjustable drivers seat, Isofix child seat anchor points, parking sensors, PAS, remote locking, service indicator, steering wheel rake and reach adjustment, traction control
- SE adds air conditioning, with optional body-coloured bumpers, cloth seat trim, cruise control, heated seats, Sat Nav, side airbags
- Sport adds optional air conditioning, body-coloured bumpers, cruise control, electric driver and passenger seat, eectric sunroof, headlight washers, heated seats, lumbar support, Sat Nav, side airbags
- Exclusive Edition adds body-coloured bumpers, cruise control, heated seats, leather seat trim, lumbar support, Sat Nav, side airbags, with optional electric driver and passenger seat, and electric sunroof
- Electric Art adds body-colored bumpers, cruise control, side airbags, with optional headlight washers, heated seats, Sat Nav
- AMG Line includes body-coloured bumpers, partial leather seat trim, side airbags, with optional air conditioning, cruise control, electric driver and passenger seat, electric sunroof, heated seats, lumbar support, and Sat Nav
Powertrain Options Available in Australia
- B180 Blue Efficiency 1.6L I4, 16V turbocharged petrol engine, producing 90kW (120hp) at 5000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1250-4000, 7-speed automatic transmission
- B200 Blue Efficiency 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 100kW (134hp) and 185Nm of torque, automatic transmission
- B250 Blue Efficiency 2.0L I4, 16V turbocharged petrol engine, producing 125kW (168hp) at 3400-4000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1400-3400rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
- B180 CDI 1.8L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 80kW (108hp) at 3200-4600rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1400-2800rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- B200 CDI Blue Efficiency 1.8L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 100kw (134hp) at 3600-4400rpm and 300Nm of torque at 1600-3000rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
- B220 CDI Blue Efficiency 2.1L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 125kW (168hp) at 3400-4000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1400-3400rpm, 7-speed automatic transmission
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Third Generation (2018-Present)
First presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2018, the current generation began production with the codename W247. It received a redesign of both interior and exterior, as well as updated engine options.
Trim Levels & Specs
Additional equipment depends on the model and contains most of the following features:
- Standard comes with a large number of features: automatic climate control, ABS, airbags, anti-slip regulation, automatic start and stop, 17 Inch alloy wheels, active brake assist, attention assist, active bonnet, adaptive brakes, automatic door locks, active park assist, automatic hold function, active lane-keeping assist, cruise control and many more.
- Additional features are: adjustable speed limiter, adjustable steering wheel tilt and telescopic, ambient temperature display, AUX/USB input socket, cruise control, cargo cover, cup holders, fog lights, hill holder, high mounted rear stop light, keyless go, leather steering wheel, leather upholstery, multiple function control screen, display, steering wheel, and more.
Powertrain Options in Australia
- B180 1.6L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 90kW and 200Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with average fuel consumption of 5.5L per 100km of combined drive
- B250 4Matic 2.0L I4, turbocharged petrol engine, producing 155kW and 350Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive, with average fuel consumption of 6.8L per 100km of combined drive
- B200d 2.1L I4, turbocharged diesel engine, producing 100kW and 300Nm of torque, 7-speed automatic transmission, with average fuel consumption of 4.6L per 100km of combined drive
By Luka Kusic