2008 Mercedes B-Class
Mercedes Benz had been looking of late at the U.S. auto market, considering it to be a fair game, a place where it can sell luxury automobiles as well as the low budget ones. Estimated around $25,000, the new ‘budget Benz’ B-Class; based on the A-Class series is proposed to roll out in the U.S. market from 2008. This car will come loaded with electronic stability program with all the standard features, as other cars in its segment. Though this will be about the size of a rabbit, I found it to be well equipped with all the standard gadgets and trims, as preferred by most Mercedes owners.
As compared to the A-Class, I find the new Benz to be 43cms longer with a height of 5.2 ft, throwing a sporting aerodynamic look. The boot looks quite spacious measuring 544 liters, and the cabin is said to accommodate 5 people theoretically. However, the rear bench is seen to give room to only 2 passengers comfortably, and not three with the two singe seats separated by the armrest. However, I always search for adequate room, as I believe a lot of room takes away the driving pleasure, and the new B-Class is one of my types. Though the windscreen is much smaller I find it to give a decent flexible broad view of the road ahead. The dashboard as well as the sides is a bit smaller than its competitors. The sunroof is panoramic. The option of placing your cell phone at a holder is simply amazing. Just recline back and avail it’s hands-free advantage.
Mercedes offers DVD navigation and an Autotronic CVT gearbox to the new B-Class. This gearbox allows the engine to deliver the maximum power in a smaller time interval without any disturbance. The engine is derived from the A-Class. Though only the 115-193hp-petrol engine or the 109-140hp diesel engines will be available at the launch, I am looking to wait for some time for the 160CDI version. The 150 (95 hp) and 160 CDI (82 hp) engines will be available a little later. The B-200 Turbocharged model is loaded with a 2.0L turbocharged engine producing 280Nm of torque at 1,800 rpm. Therefore, the new “budget Benz” reaches 100kph i.e. 62mph in only 7.6 seconds from stand still.
It is safety where Mercedes always stands out. The intelligent sandwich concept of the B-Class with the engine and transmission arranged under the bonnet and the passenger compartment; makes the passengers totally secure from the front. The power train is set to divert downwards to the pedal floor panel, and not towards the passengers compartment, in case of a serious front impact. Besides, the higher sitting position in the new B-Class is an added advantage in case of sidelong impacts.
The “2 stage adaptive” airbags are set at the front, the top and thorax positions, and that I believe it to form the most important while enjoying the engine’s overall performance.