Porsche SE acquires ~10% stake in real-time traffic information company INRIX; 1st step to complementing investment in VW AG
Peugeot showcasing 208 Hybrid Air 2L Demonstrator at Paris show

Facelifted Mercedes-Benz B-Class with diesel, gasoline, natural gas and electric drives debuting at Paris show

Mercedes-Benz has given its B-Class range—more than 350,000 of which have been sold worldwide since market launch in late 2011—a major facelift including exterior and interior enhancements along with redefined design and equipment lines. Sales of the new B-Class commenced on 12 September, with the world première taking place during the Paris Motor Show (4 to 19 October). The revamped models will be making their way to dealerships from 29 November 2014.

Buyers have a wide choice of powertrains: five diesel models with fuel ranging from 3.6 to 5.0 l/100 km (65.3 to 47 mpg US); four gasoline engines at between 5.4 and 6.6 l/100 km (43.6 and 35.6 mpg US); alternative drive systems (B 200 Natural Gas Drive and B-Class Electric Drive); as well as optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The sports tourer also features a Cd value of less than 0.25. Prices in Europe will start from €27,102.25 (around US$35,000) for the B 180.

Both the B 200 Natural Gas Drive and the B-Class Electric Drive use the B-Class’s modular ENERGY SPACE body concept: The underbody houses one large and two smaller gas tanks and a 14-liter gasoline tank (B 200 Natural Gas Drive) or the lithium-ion battery (B-Class Electric Drive). Due to this intelligent packaging method, the five-seater model has been able to retain its luggage space.

B-Class diesels
Model B 160 CDI B 180 CDI B 180 BlueEfficiency B 200 CDI B220 CDI
Number of cylinders/arrangement 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line
Displacement (cc) 1461 1461 1461 2143 2143
Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) 66/90 at 2750-4000 80/109 at 4000 80/109 at 4000 100/136 at 3200-4000 [3400-4400] 130/177 at 3600-3800
Rated torque (N·m at rpm) 240 at 1700-2500 260 at 1750-2500 260 at 1750-2500 300 at 1400-3000 350 at 1400-3400
Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km) 4.1 (4.0) 4.1 (4.0) 3.6 4.3 (4.0) [5.0] 4.1 [5.0]
Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) 108 (104) 108 (104) 94 111 (104) [130] 107 [130]
Efficiency class A (A+) A (A+) A+ A (A+) [B] A+ [B]
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 14.0 (14.3) 11.6 (11.9) 11.6 9.9 (9.8) [9.8] 8.3 [8.3]
Top speed (km/h) 180 (180) 190 (190) 190 210 (210) [207] 224 [220]
Price (€) (Germany) 27,905.50 28,857.50 29,333.50 31,088.75 [35,462.00] 36,027.25 [38,228.75]
Figures for model with 7G-DCT in round brackets, figures for 4MATIC version in square brackets.

B-Class gasoline models
Model B180 B 180 BlueEfficiency B200 B220 4MATIC B250
Number of cylinders/arrangement 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line 4 in-line
Displacement (cc) 1595 1595 1595 1991 1991
Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) 90/122 at 5000 90/122 at 5000 115/156 at 5300 135/184 at 5500 155/211 at 5500
Rated torque (Nm at rpm) 200 at 1250-4000 200 at 1250-4000 250 at 1250-4000 300 at 1200-4000 350 at 1200-4000
Combined fuel consumption from (l/100 km) 5.6 (5.4) 5.2 5.6 (5.4) 6.5 6.1 (6.6)
Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) 129 (125) 122 130 (125) 151 141 [154]
Efficiency class B (B) B B (B) C C [C]
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 9.3 (9.2) 9.3 8.6 (8.4) 7.5 6.8 [6.7]
Top speed (km/h) 200 (200) 190 220 (220) 225 240 [235]
Price (€) (Germany) 27,102.25 27,578.25 29,036.00 33,647.25 35,134.75 [37,336.25]
Figures for model with 7G-DCT in brackets, figures for 4MATIC version in square brackets.

B-Class alternative drive systems
Model B 200 Natural Gas B-Class Electric Drive
Number of cylinders/arrangement 4 in-line -
Displacement (cc) 1991 -
Rated output (kW/hp at rpm) 115/156 at 5000 132/180
Rated torque (Nm at rpm) 270 at 1250-4000 340
Fuel consumption, combined, from 4.3 kg (4.2 kg) 16.6 kWh/100 km
Combined CO2 emissions from (g/km) 117 (115) 0
Efficiency class A (A) A+
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) 9.2 (9.1) 7.9
Top speed (km/h) 200 (200) 160
Price (€) (Germany) 32,903.50 not yet available
Figures for model with 7G-DCT in brackets.

The facelifted B-Class with a gasoline or diesel engine features a new bumper, wide radiator trim with two louvres and now integral daytime running lamps in the headlamps. The rear bumper has also been modified and now features a contoured covering and an additional chrome trim strip. Optional LED High Performance headlamps are not available for the B-Class Electric Drive or Natural Gas Drive).

Mercedes-Benz has enhanced a number of details in the B-Class such as the large, free-standing head unit display, which is now larger, with a diagonal of up to 20.3 cm (8 inches), and the dial layout for the instrument cluster. There is a choice of 12 colors for the ambient lighting, allowing different moods to be created.

Mercedes-Benz has also revised the model range and aligned the logic to the other compact models. There are three new design and equipment lines: Style, Urban and AMG Line. Each features a number of distinctive exterior and interior details.

KEYLESS-GO is new as an optional extra. This access and drive authorization system with KEYLESS-GO starting function allows the vehicle to be opened, started and locked simply by carrying the electronic key.

When it made its début, the B-Class redefined the standard of safety in the compact class with a variety of new driving assistance systems, some of them included as standard equipment. These functions have now been enhanced and new assistance systems added to give the driver more support.

  • COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS extends the functionality of COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with autonomous partial braking to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.

  • The standard ATTENTION ASSIST feature has also been upgraded: operating within an extended speed range (60 - 200 km/h, or 37 - 124 mph), this now uses a five-stage bar display to visualise the driver’s current attention level.

Next-generation telematics offer more intuitive operation; functions are more accessible due to animated menus and visual representations on a larger display in the head unit.

Comments

HarveyD

This car will meet USA's 2035 standards in 2015?

The comments to this entry are closed.