Mercedes-Benz is launching the new B-Class in India today. We are at the launch and will bring you live updates as they happen. The new B-Class is positioned as a sports tourer in India, it is Mercedes-Benz’ temporary answer to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Mercedes-Benz is offering the B-Class with a petrol engine currently and the diesel engined model will join the line-up early next year. The B180 Blue EFFICIENCY uses a 1595cc engine to produce 122 BHP of peak power at 5000 RPM and 200 Nm of peak torque between 1250-4000 RPM. This results in the Mercedes B-Class reaching 100 km/h in 10.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 km/h. This engine is mated to a 7-speed DCT gearbox with paddle shifters.
The Mercedes B-Class has a fuel tank of 50-litres with 6-litres reserve. The sports tourer has a boot capacity of 486-litres which extends to 1545-litres with the rear seats down. There are two variants available – B180 and B180 Sport. The former has 205/55/16 tyres, while the latter has 225/45/17 tyres. The B-Class weighs 1425 kgs and has a turning radius of 5.5-metres. It returns an ARAI certified mileage of 14.8 km/l. The company has got enough bookings for 2012 already and will re-open bookings in January, 2013.
Mercedes-Benz is targeting the youth with the B-Class. They will be running an online campaign to spread awareness about the B-Class. The 2012 B-Class has received the best design award in Germany. Mercedes-Benz mentions that safety is concern over everything else. Thus a spare wheel (space saver) has been provided, even though the B-Class sold in Europe has run flat tyres. The vehicle also features 7-airbags, attention assist, hill assist, acceleration skid control, Eco Start-Stop system, 5.8 LCD screen, panoramic sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.
Mercedes-Benz has priced the B-Class at a starting price of Rs. 21.49 lakhs for the B180 variant and Rs. 24.87 lakhs for the B180 Sport variant (all prices ex-showroom, Mumbai). CKD operations of the B-Class will start in 2014. Mercedes has got 250 bookings of the B-Class and is not concerned about volumes. No plans to offer cut price variants like rivals. Company believes that luxury and cheap variants don’t go together. There will be no manual transmission available on the B-Class either. The Mercedes B-Class has a length of 4359 mm, width of 1786 mm and a height of 1557 mm. It has a wheelbase of 2699 mm.
We have already driven the B-Class, read our initial impressions of the B-Class.
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