Mercedes-Benz B-Class Comes to Town
Most of us are familiar with the Mercedes-Benz range of cars. Starting with the A-Class, a little hatchback, the smallest of the lot, not counting the Smart car series, followed next by the C-Class and E-Class, two mid-sized sedans, and the S-Class, which is limousine-sized. The M-Class is the luxury 4WD SUV in the range, topped by the R-Class, introduced last fall. Also introduced in the last quarter of last year was the B-Class, and it is now in Malaysia, and available for sale to the general public. We at AW are privileged to be one of the first to get a preview and test drive of the B-Class, and here is our quick preview report. What we got for a test is the B170, and our report is based on this model.
From the pictures, you will see that the B-Class, as the name also suggests, slots neatly in between the A-Class and the C-Class, and the user profile is a little of a combination between the two also. Described s a ‘Sports Tourer’, it offers the versatility of a 5-seater MPV, but has the essentially the handling and drivability of a sedan, something of a ‘best of two world’s’ situation.
Principally, I see the potential buyer as one who already owns a C-Class or an E-Class, or perhaps an S-Class, who would buy it as a ‘family’ vehicle to take his wife and kids around in, especially if his kids are young. This is because the B-Class is more an MPV than a car, and is obviously designed to cater for Mercedes-Benz die-hards who want something a little more versatile than a sedan, but don’t want to switch brands. Hitherto, the A-Class was one alternative, while the M-Class was the other. The former would be a wee bit too small for ‘family’ use, while the M-Class, being a 4WD SUV, would cost as much or more than the E-Class, and is not pocket-friendly insofar as fuel consumption is concerned. The B-Class is probably the answer to it all.
From the specs sheet supplied with the B-Class, there are two models and three variants within these two models available. At the bottom of the ladder, there are two B170 models, both equipped with the same 116 horsepower, 1.7-litre engine, but in two types of trim, standard, and high specs. Then there is the B200T, which has more grunt, with 193 horsepower from a 2,034 cc turbo-charged engine, which sounds a little more exciting, but I guess that would be another story, if I ever get my hands on one.
Our test cat is the B170 High Specs model, which comes with 17-inch wheels instead of the standard 16-inch, an anti-theft alarm system, an audio system that has an integrated Ipod interface, automatic climate control, exterior sight and light package, and a louvred panoramic roof. The most outstanding feature amongst all these is of course the panoramic roof, which my two little princess’, Katheryna and Klarissa, aged 7 and 9, thoroughly enjoyed.
Another feature that kids would love about the B-Class is of also the huge amount of room in which to romp. Legroom is a given, even with large-sized adults. The overall length of the B-Class is only 4270mm, but with the four wheels planted at the extremes, the wheelbase is very long, at 2778mm;this means that the designers could put in a very large passenger compartment in between the front and rear wheels. Add to this a transverse-mounted engine powering the front wheels, and a very compact CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission) that takes up very little space at the front end, and you have the makings of a moving living room.
In terms of the suspension set-up, it is a carry-over from the A-Class. McPherson struts hold up the front, helped by a stabilizer bar, while a ‘Spherical parabolic’ rear axle with a stabilizer keeps the rear in line. Coil springs are all round (nowadays already a given), as are single-tube gas shocks. Brakes are dual-circuit, with ABS and Brake Assist (BAS), and the system comes with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme). Oddly, there is no ESP switch on the control panel.
The CVT comes with a 7-speed (electronically set) gear arrangement, with two modes. In ‘C’ mode, the gear changes come a little earlier, and the engine fueling maps are set for outstanding fuel economy. We have done about 250 kilometres up to the time I am writing this article, and the fuel gauge is still standing at a little over half a tank, and that is with quite a bit of hard driving and jack-rabbit starts. The fuel tank capacity is 54 litres (of which 6 litres is the reserve fuel left in the tank when the warning light stats to blink) will give a potential of at least 500 kilometres per tank on normal driving. Press a button next to the gear change lever and you can go into ‘S’ mode, which I assume stands for ‘Sports’; the gear changes come about 300 rpm later, and the engine feels a little more perkier, perhaps due to a little more aggressive fuel programming. Speed per thousand rpm is about 55 km/hr, again pointing the way to fuel economy.
Thus, you would have by now gleaned, the B170 is not, and does not pretend to be a performance car. That position is assumed by the B200T, with its turbo charger and all. The B170 will go about its business quietly and sedately. If you don’t have any delusions of going at 200+ km/hr, then the top speed of 183 km/hr, which we did hit, should be enough. After all, as Ivan, my other tester said, when you are driving your kids around, you wouldn’t want to go fast, anyway. He liked the B170, and when I asked him why, he said, “My wife and kids liked it, and that’s important to me.”
So, finally, if you have RM203, 888, or better still, RM219, 377 for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class, you can pick up the standard spec or the high spec model from any of the Mercedes-Benz dealers in town. The B200T costs a little more at RM289, 551. All prices are on-the-road without insurance.
