Mercedes is set to debut the B-Class at the Sydney International Auto Show in Australia next month. If you're unfamiliar with the B-Class, it's a new model Mercedes has developed to capture a younger market share.

The B-Class is a mixture of several different vehicles, much like Mercedes' recently introduced R-Class model. It utilizes what Mercedes calls the "sandwich concept," which places the engine and transmission partly in the front of the vehicle and partly beneath the passenger cell. In addition to reducing the dimensions of the vehicle while still maintaining interior spaciousness, the sandwich concept offers improved safety in the event of an accident. By positioning the engine and transmission in an inclined position, Mercedes found that in a frontal impact, the drive unit is moved downward below the floor panel, as opposed to directly into the interior, as is found in most vehicles.

In addition to the interior and safety features listed above, the B-Class also offers increased load capacity over its competitors. By implementing folding and removable rear seats, as well as an optional removable passenger seat, the B-Class can quickly be converted from a passenger car to a cargo van, a feature not found in other small passenger cars.

If you're wondering what powers the B-Class, it comes in your choice of two different engine variants: a four cylinder, found in the B 200, or a turbocharged four cylinder, found in the B 200 Turbo. Both models come with manual transmissions standard (5 or 6 speed, respectively), and Mercedes also offers an optional automatic transmission in both versions of the vehicle. Pricing for the B-Class models will be $44,900 for the standard B-Class model, and $48,900 for the turbocharged version.

I know what you're thinking: "When is the B-Class coming to the states?" I've received a multitude of emails asking me the very same question, and up to this point, Mercedes has no definite plans to release it here.

Do I think this is a wise move on Mercedes part?  No, not at all.  Like one reader pointed out, the B-Class is the perfect car if you already own a flagship Mercedes model, such as the S-Class, but want an every day car for the wife and kids.  Add to that buyers that want a less expensive car that's still reliable, buyers that want a fuel efficient vehicle, and younger buyers that are spending an increasing amount in the automotive sector, and I think the B-Class would perform remarkably well in the American market.

But that's just my opinion.

UPDATE - To clarify the pricing in this story, the dollar amount is, to my knowledge, in Australian Dollars.  This translates to $33,998 and $37,027 US Dollars, respectively.  There also is some price variation between the Australian and Canadian B-Class models, with the Canadian models listing for about $5,000 less. Sorry for not clarifying.

You can check out photos of the B-Class below, followed by the full press release.  You can also visit the Mercedes B-Class microsite (in Australia) by clicking here.

























OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Australian premiere of the new B-Class


The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, a Compact Sports Tourer of outstanding design, dynamism and dimensions, will celebrate its Australian premiere at the Sydney International Motor Show.

With this new vehicle concept, Mercedes-Benz is once again asserting its role as the trendsetter among car brands and preparing the way for a young market segment with a promising future. The Sports Tourer meets the wishes of today’s motorists for a car with generous space, exemplary comfort, excellent practicality, an exciting design and a high level of driving pleasure. The new B-Class takes the advantages of different vehicle concepts and combines them into an interesting and distinctive profile of its own: as a Compact Sports Tourer, the B-Class is a touring, family and recreational vehicle with incomparable added experience value in terms of design and dynamism.

One of the major advantages of the Compact Sports Tourer is the sandwich concept developed by Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to the space-saving arrangement
of the engine and transmission partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell, the new B-Class offers the interior spaciousness of larger saloons and estate cars despite its compact external dimensions. The body has a length of 4270 millimetres, corresponding to the compact car class. Inside, however, the new Mercedes model offers more than other cars of comparable size in this segment in all comfort-related respects, e.g. shoulder-room, legroom and headroom.

The B-Class also reaches new dimensions where variability and load capacity are concerned. Thanks to a height-adjustable load compartment floor, an asymmetrically divided, folding and removable rear seat unit plus an optionally removable front passenger seat, the Compact Sports Tourer is quickly and easily converted from a comfortable touring car to a practical van. Depending on the number and position of the seats, the load capacity can be increased from 544 to up to 2245 litres (with rear seats and front passenger seat removed). This corresponds to the load capacity of large estate cars. The maximum loading length is 2.95 metres.

State-of-the-art petrol engines with up to 142 kW

State-of-the-art-petrol units meet the need of the Sports Tourer concept for effortless performance and a high level of driving pleasure. There is a choice of two four-cylinder engines, the B 200 and the B 200 TURBO with outputs of 100kW to 142 kW respectively. The top-of-the-line B 200 TURBO is equipped with a new two-litre, four-cylinder engine which delivers a maximum torque of 280 Newton metres from as little as 1800 rpm thanks to turbo charging and intercooling, and maintains this value over a wide engine speed range up to 4850 rpm. This means that the most powerful of the Compact Sports Tourers accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in just 7.6 seconds.
The B 200 comes with a five speed manual as standard and the B 200 TURBO is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The newly developed, continuously variable AUTOTRONIC automatic transmission is optionally available for all engine variants of the B-Class.
Top-class technology for agile handling and outstanding safety

Innovations in the field of suspension technology have contributed greatly to a successful combination of agility, safety and comfort – with all these attributes enjoying equal importance.

The electromechanical power steering system generates its servo effect with an electric motor, varying it as a function of road speed. This means the servo action is greater at low speeds than at high speeds, thus making it easier to park or manoeuvre slowly. The parabolic rear axle is likewise a new development. It makes a major contribution to the stable, sporty and precise handling, as well as the excellent ride comfort of the new B-Class.
The improved Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) now has a new, additional function: the STEER CONTROL steering assistance system. This operates in tandem with the electromechanical power steering system, providing the appropriate servo assistance in critical handling situations to help the driver stabilise the vehicle. When braking on road surfaces offering less grip on one
side than the other the new, additional ESP® function also helps with steering corrections and provides the driver with better road contact.

A further special feature included as standard for the Compact Sports Tourer is the selective damping system which adapts the shock absorber response to the current driving situation. A soft shock absorber configuration ensures a high level of ride comfort during normal driving, while maximum damping force is applied when taking bends at speed to give the B-Class maximum stability.
Typical Mercedes safety thanks to the sandwich concept
The patented sandwich principle, which achieves wonders where economy of space is concerned, is the centrepiece of the safety concept in the new B-Class. Intelligently arranging the engine and transmission in an inclined position partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell makes a greater effective front end length available for crash deformation. During a severe frontal impact the drive unit is not moved backwards towards the interior, but slides downwards along the likewise inclined pedal floor panel. Moreover, the sandwich concept has significant advantages in the event of a lateral collision because the occupants are seated approx. 200 millimetres higher – and therefore above the impact zone. This means that despite its compact exterior dimensions, the B-Class provides the level of occupant safety typically found in a Mercedes.
Two-stage front airbags for driver and front passenger, front side airbags, full window airbags, three point belt tensioners in the front and on the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters and active head restraints are standard.

High-quality materials and extensive standard appointments

The interior appointments likewise correspond to the high standard set by Mercedes Benz. The design and feel of the interior features complement each other, creating an atmosphere in which the occupants are immediately at ease to enjoy the high level of long-distance comfort.
Standard specification includes, a four-spoke steering wheel with multifunction buttons, Audio 20 CD radio, 16” light alloy wheels, rain sensor windscreen wipers, automatic headlight control, leather steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake, armrest between the front seats, chrome surrounded instrument cluster, plus high-quality trim of brushed aluminium on the centre console, tunnel and door panels.

Mercedes-Benz has grouped further design features which accentuate the sporty and elegant appearance of the new B-Class into optionally available luxury, sports and touring packages.

Advanced technology from bi-xenon to THERMOTRONIC

High-tech systems from the Mercedes luxury class further enhance comfort and the driving experience in the new Compact Sports Tourer. Optionally available features include THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery and the COMAND APS radio/navigation system. On request the standard projection-beam headlamps behind their clear lenses can be upgraded with bi-xenon technology, the Active Light System and a cornering light function.
A newly developed, panoramic louvred sunroof provides the occupants of the new B-Class with a unique open-air experience as an optional extra, and in its closed position it also contributes to the light, friendly atmosphere in the interior of the Compact Sports Tourer. The roof aperture is around two thirds larger than that of a conventional sliding roof. A fixed panoramic roof with a grey-tinted, 0.6 square metre glass panel is optionally available as an alternative to the sliding roof.

The new B-Class, the Compact Sports Tourer by Mercedes-Benz, will appear in the showrooms of authorised Mercedes-Benz dealerships throughout Australia in November.

Pricing for the B 200 and B 200 TURBO will start from $44,900 and $48,900 respectively.


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