When Mercedes-Benz
first launched the B-Class in South
Africa, they went into previously-unchartered
territory. MPVs in the premium sector don’t exist actually, so the B-Class
never really had competition. The brand new car, just launched here in Mzansi, still does not.
While the old car sold well enough, the market where it
plays is quite mature. Some even
call it old. Mercedes-Benz already has an image as an old people’s brand, and adding
a mama’s car into the mix did no
help. In order to attract a younger audience, Merc has had to
redesign the car from scratch as
part of a new batch of small premium vehicles that include the upcoming 2013 A-Class.
“Mercedes-Benz already has an image
as an old people’s brand”
A good job done is probably the best way to describe it. Featuring
a front grille with three bold brushed chrome
louvers, short overhands, a trapezoidal
front end with sloping LED daytime
running lights and a high bonnet for improved pedestrian safety, the
B-Class is quite a striking vehicle.
The side profile is characterised by three main kinky lines forming the shape
of a sharp blade, while the window pillars grow shorter as one progresses
towards the rear. This gives it a slanting look, accentuated by small rear
windows. Some of the extra-cost
packages make it look even cooler, like the Night Package with a sports suspension and smoked 18-inch alloy wheels.
Having grown in size, the B-Class now measures 4.3 metres long, 1.8m wide, 1.6m high
and has a wheelbase of 2.7m. One sits higher than in a normal car inside the B,
which I suppose is to be expected for its type. Those with back sensitivities will find it easy to get
into, as it requires only an easy slide in. nice as this part is, I’ve never been
sold on the idea that this car could be as practical as a Chevrolet Orlando or Renault Scenic for instance, at the same time
offering a higher level of spec and comfort. My attitude remains the same.
“I’ve never been sold on the idea
that this car could be as practical as a Chevrolet Orlando”
The SLS AMG is obviously Mercedes-Benz’s halo model and the
rest of the range will employ a few elements from it. For B, these include the
circular air vents adorning the
dashboard. Don’t try and fold the screen because it’s permanently fixed on top there. The interior in general is roomy and welcoming, very comfortable
in a way that befits a Mercedes-Benz of course. With a long list of features
and options, one would probably need the whole internet to list them all. But
of for interest’s sake, some are worth noting. In fact, no new Merc has ever debuted with as many new features as
the B. Like the Eco start/ stop
system that switches off the engine as soon as the car comes to a full stop,
then restarts it automatically when the accelerator
pedal is prodded.
How about the Comand
online feature worth R20 000 extra,
which, just as in the C-Class Coupe,
one can only use the online function through one’s own Bluetooth connection. Not
very clever I must say. Distronic Plus
is cool though. While following a car, it keeps a safe distance between the two of you by adjusting your speed to slow
down simultaneously with that car. It also has that feature that helps it park
itself automatically.
“It also has that feature that helps
it park itself automatically”
We got to drive two of the four initial derivatives as they
are both immediately available. Interestingly they are both diesel. The B 180
CDI BlueEfficiency and B 200 CDI BlueEfficiency
are on dealership floors as we speak, while the B 180 and B 200 can be seen in
a couple of months’ time. Standard in all is a 6-speed manual gearbox, which I didn’t get to drive. But the big
news is that Mercedes-Benz has fitted a new 7-speed double clutch called 7G-DCT (Dual Clutch Auto Transmission).
The changer is awesomely smooth, yet also gives iotas of sporty feedback when applied with shift
paddles behind the steering wheel.
The B 180 CDI is
one of only a few appropriately badged cars in the Merc garage as it features
an actual 1.8-litre engine! The 4-cylinder with a VTG turbo, common rail technology and direct injection pushes
through 80kW between 3200rpm and
4600rpm, paired with 250Nm of torque
between 1400rpm and 2800rpm. Entry-level it is, and entry-level it felt while
attempting some steeps on the rolling hills around the Durban area. A 0 – 100km/h
time of 10.9 seconds is claimed but I
suspect it would only be achievable with a quarter tank of fuel on board, while
going downhill even. Nevertheless, the quoted average fuel consumption of 4.5
litres per 100km (or a range of about 1 240km
off a tank) isn’t that far-fetched.
“Big news is that Mercedes-Benz has
fitted a new 7-speed double clutch”
Extra punch was however, supplied by the more entertaining B 200 CDI with the same 1.8-litre
but more go. At 100kW between
3600rpm and 4400rpm, and 300Nm
between 1600rpm and 3000rpm, it became clear that this would be the
entertaining piece of the day. Indeed it was pushier over those rolling green hills, and the car’s
handling in general is quite good too. A fuel claim matching its less potent
sibling’s is probably less believable, while 0 – 100km/h is said to be 9.5 seconds.
Previous B sold an average of 97 units a month for six years. With this revamped version, MBSA
wishes to dramatically increase that number, perhaps up to 150 per month. Key to this is attracting people below 75 years of age. It’s a much improved
car overall. Bigger, safer, faster
in some instances, noticeably more upmarket and possibly younger, B-Class shows
marked improvement. Will the younger mamas
and papas notice though?
Mercedes-Benz
B-Class Prices
B 180 (R299 600)
B 200 (R319 600)
B 180 CDI (R325 000)
B 200 CDI (R358 000)
2 comments:
P.I.M.P!
I prefer the old one over this one to be honest
Post a Comment