Saar: With sales slated to start from December 3, 2018, deliveries will only commence in the month of February next year.

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class was never the best-looking car out there. And nor was it the best at justifying itself as a minivan. With the all-new B-Class, however, Mercedes-Benz has tried something different. It’s more aerodynamic, has a much better design and is loaded with futuristic features, which have been borrowed from the A- and S-Class. Crickey! That does sound like a much better deal already.

Take a moment to look at it. At the very first sight, you’ll feel that Mercedes’ designers have done a good job. The new B-Class, unlike its predecessors, doesn’t look boxy and is rather a handsome looking alternative to its close sibling, the A-Class. Speaking of which, the B-Class is built on the same platform as Mercedes’ entry-level model. The new B-Class boasts a wheelbase of 2,729mm with short overhangs, slightly lowered roofline and larger, 16- to 19-inch alloy wheels (variant dependent). The coefficient of drag of the new B-Class starts at 0.24, which is 0.01 lower than its predecessor. In other words, the new model is more aerodynamic which helps in improving the mileage.

The low-profile headlamp enclosures come with H7 headlights and LED DRLs right from the base model. The standard LED or multibeam LED headlamps are optional extras. At the back, the two-part taillamp enclosures, integrated reflectors on the bumper and faux diffuser help accentuate the width of the new B-Class. Aerodynamics are kept in check with a large roof spoiler and the spoilers at the sides of the rear window.

If the exterior design doesn’t floor you, considering that Mercedes-Benz still classifies the B-Class as a minivan, the interiors surely will. They are, in fact, almost exactly the same as the latest A-Class. The first thing that catches the eye is the large glass panel which houses two separate displays. In Mercedes’ world, it is called as the MBUX system. It is available in three versions – two 7.0-inch displays, one 7.0- and one 10.25-inch displays and both 10.25-inch displays. Mercedes-Benz will also fit a head-up display for an extra fee.

Other noticeable design cues include the five AC vents which flaunt a turbine look and the centre console which boasts a touch-based control and input system. There’s ambient lighting package, with 64 colours and ten colour worlds to choose from. The options list also includes features like seat climate control, multi-way adjustable powered seats with massage function and a powered tailgate. As far as practicality is concerned, the rear seat backrest comes as standard with a 40:20:40 split. Depending on the variant, the rear seats will also have sliding functions. The luggage compartment can gulp stuff ranging between 455 litres with the rear seats up and completely reclined to 1,540 litres with them completely folded down.

With the upgraded MBUX system on-board, the new B-Class gets intelligent drive function from the S-Class, with semi-autonomous capability in specific circumstances. The new B-Class also gets a range of safety gizmos such as Active Assist Distronic, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Lane Change Assist and Active Brake Assist.

The new B-Class will be sold in five different variants – 180, 200, 180 d, 200 d and 220 d. The first two will house a petrol engine which has 1.33 litres of cubic capacity. In the B 180, the 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 136PS/200Nm and in the B 200, it will generate 163PS/250Nm. The B 180 d will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel mill that produces 116PS/260Nm. All three will come with a 7-speed automatic transmission as standard.

The B 200 d and the B 220 d will get a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. In the former, it will produce 150PS/320Nm and in the latter, it will offer 190PS/400Nm on tap. This engine will come mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Mercedes-Benz will commence the sales of the new B-Class from December 3, 2018. The deliveries, however, will only begin from February next year. In its new avatar, the B-Class will surely find new buyers across the world. Its entry into India is all but confirmed. It, along with the new A-Class in LWB form, will form the entry-level segment for Mercedes-Benz in India next year.

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Rachit Shad Trehan
A car nutter by heart. A hopeless engineer by education. Gunning for one goal - simplify cars.

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