New Mercedes-Benz B-Class arrives

New Mercedes-Benz B-Class arrives

 

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which made its debut at last year’s Frankfurt Motor show, was launched on the Irish market on Monday (30 Jan) and is now in dealer showrooms.

 

The first of three new offerings due here this year (the new M-Class and SL follow in March/April), it is the larger of the marque’s two compact models, fitting into the range ahead of the well-known A-Class.

 

The car, according to Mercedes-Benz, represents a quantum leap in the compact segment. It is the first model change in the company’s history to have so many new features introduced at one time.

 

It arrives on the market here with an improved range of standard specifications and an entry-level price that, Mercedes-Benz says, is 11 per cent lower than the model it replaces.

 

Amongst a number of innovations are its reduced height, lower centre of gravity, expanded interior space and safety features.

 

Its redesigned electromechanical steering, new four-link rear axle and upgraded electronic stability system make it what Mercedes-Benz calls fascinatingly agile without cost in comfort terms.

 

Arguably, its most impressive selling point and the feature most likely to appeal to B-Class buyers will be its high quality and spacious interior.

 

Seats are more upright and set lower to the road, with the result that headroom has been improved.

 

Extra interior space can be made more valuable by an optional feature that allows the rear seats to be adjusted forwards/backwards to facilitate the carriage of bulky items.

 

Driving and handling characteristics in the new B-Class have been upgraded. An optional lower sports suspension and direct-steer system emphasise its sporty character.

 

Meanwhile, re-jigged aerodynamics help to deliver low fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions, while a standard item on all B-Class models is an ECO start/stop function.

 

The model likely to account for the bulk of B-Class sales here is the 109bhp entry level B180 CDI, which comes on the market at €29,330 (ex works) with road tax of €160 per annum.

 

A second diesel, also with four-cylinder, common rail, direct-injection, is a 2.0-litre/136bhp unit whose price will be announced later.

 

In petrol form, the first version to go on sale is the 122bhp B180BlueEFFICIENCY selling at €29,890 (ex works) with road tax of €225 per annum.

 

A 2.0-litre/156bhp BlueEFFICIENCY version will be added to the range at a later date, the price of which will be announced at launch.

 

Driving the new B-Class is a new six-speed manual transmission notable, says Mercedes-Benz for its extremely easy gear change and low shift forces.

 

Also available as an option is a 7G dual clutch transmission system that combines the comfort of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual.

 

MB sales manager Ciaran Allen said the car “ticks all the boxes”. Its lower price, reduced running costs, interior spaciousness and exceptional range of comfort and safety features are elements that, he believes, combine to give the B-Class a wide appeal amongst those seeking to match prestige to practicality.

 

Safety features on board the new B-Class include items imported from larger Mercedes-Benz models and introduced for the first time in this class of vehicle.

 

These include adaptive headlamp, blind spot, lane keeping and speed limit assist systems along with parking assist, hill hold brake function, reversing camera and distance control.

 

A world-first in the compact segment is the provision of a new radar-based collision prevention warning with adaptive brake assist as standard to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.