Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	2005–present
Assembly	Rastatt, Germany Kecskemét, Hungary
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a compact luxury car produced by German automaker Mercedes-Benz since 2005. Mercedes-Benz markets it as a sports compact tourer. It is similar to the A-Class, though bigger and with bigger engines. The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) classifies it as a small MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).^[1] As of December 20, 2013, delivery of B-Class vehicles reached 1 million since the launch of the B-Class in 2005.^[2]

First generation (W245, 2005–2011)

First generation
Overview
Production	2005–2011
Model years	2006–2011
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz T245
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2006–08: 2,786 mm (109.7 in) 2009-11: 2,779 mm (109.4 in)
Length	4,270 mm (168.1 in)
Width	1,778 mm (70.0 in)
Height	2006–08: 1,613 mm (63.5 in) 2009–11: 1,603 mm (63.1 in)

In 2005 it was introduced in spring in Europe and in autumn in Canada. The B-Class is a front-wheel drive car with a sandwich floor construction and a parabolic rear suspension.^[3] The B-Class has a two-box design: one box for the drivetrain and another the passenger and luggage compartments. The B-Class gains much of its comparatively large interior volume through its height, a configuration that makes the most of the vehicle’s footprint. Having evolved from the even smaller A-Class it retained that car's sandwich floor concept.^[4] The A-Class was originally intended to have a battery-powered version that would meet California’s (since-rescinded) zero-emissions mandate, and the batteries were supposed to go between the floors.

All models included many passive automobile safety systems like ESP, ABS, traction control, cornering lights, active lighting system, and headlamp assist.^[5] In the event of a frontal impact the engine and transmission slides beneath the passenger compartment.

In 2008 it was updated with a start-stop system and a BlueEFFICIENCY option.^[6] A new NGT variant was added, which could burn either gasoline or natural gas.^[7]

In 2011 Mercedes-Benz did a world tour with three of its Mercedes-Benz F-Cell vehicles, one of which was the B-Class. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle was driven more than 30,000 kilometres in a circumnavigation of the globe, starting and ending in Stuttgart.^[8]

• 
  Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI (Australia; pre-facelift)
• 
  Mercedes-Benz B-Class (Europe; facelift)
• 
  Mercedes-Benz B 180 (Australia; facelift)
• 
  Interior

Engines

The B160 and B180 conform to Euro V emission standards. The rest of the engines conform to Euro IV emission standards. A particulate filter is available as an option for the diesel units (this reduces about 99% of the particle emissions, without the need for additives).

Specifications

Second generation (W246, 2012–present)

Second generation
Overview
Production	2011–present
Model years	2012–present
Body and chassis
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W246
Powertrain
Engine	1.6L I4 1.8L Diesel I4 electric motor
Transmission	6-speed manual 7-speed Dual-clutch 1 speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,699 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4,359 mm (171.6 in)
Width	1,786 mm (70.3 in)
Height	1,557 mm (61.3 in)

The second generation B-Class was introduced at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany.^[9] European models went on sale in November 2011. Japan models went on sale in April 2012. They assembled at Rastatt, Germany,^[10] and from 2011 at Kecskemet, Hungary.^[11] By summer 2013, over 230,000 second generation B-Class cars had been delivered.^[12]

It included new gasoline and diesel engines, mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.^[13] Drag coefficient was lowered, despite growing in overall dimensions to the benefit of interior space. A new four-cylinder engine was introduced with the model, the M270.^[14]

New safety systems included adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist and, a collision prevention adaptive brake system.^[15]

Variants and nomenclature

The last part of the model name indicates how the vehicle is powered:^[16]

• Natural Gas Drive: c, e.g. B 200 c (for compressed natural gas)
• Diesel: d, e.g. B 250 d
• Electric: e, e.g. B 250 e
• Fuel cell f, e.g. B 200 f
• Four-wheel drive: e.g. B 250 4MATIC

BlueEFFICIENCY

BlueEFFICIENCY is a term used by Mercedes-Benz for a series of measures which reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These include:^[17]

• Start/stop function switches off the engine temporarily when the vehicle is stationary.
• Alternator management for regenerative braking.
• Tyres optimised for rolling resistance have low energy requirements while driving and also help to reduce fuel consumption.

The B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition was available from September 2013.^[18]

B 200 Natural Gas Drive

Production version includes a choice of manual and 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission, and was available from early 2013.^[19] European model was set to go on sale in February 2014.^[2]

B-Class Electric Drive

The Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

Production Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive charging

A B-class at the New York autoshow, reading "ELECTRIC DRIVE" logotype on rear

Initial concept versions of the B-Class Electric Drive were developed under the Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO project using batteries from Li-tec,^[20] but eventually used a drivetrain from Tesla. The Electric Drive was previewed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show,^[21] the 2013 New York International Auto Show,^[22] and the 2013 IAA International Motor Show 2013.^[12] Production for retail customers began in April 2014 at Mercedes-Benz Rastatt factory.^[23] In May 2014, Mercedes announced the B-Class Electric Drive will be available in Germany and the UK in the first quarter of 2015.^[24] In November, Mercedes-Benz announced pricing for Germany and started accepting orders.

The concept has an electric motor rated 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and 310 N·m (229 lb·ft), 36 kWh lithium-ion battery from Tesla Motors. The vehicle has a driving range of 200 km (124 mi) with a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).^[21] The battery can be charged at any standard domestic 230 V power outlet or 400 V rapid charging terminal.

Pricing in the U.S. starts at US$41,450 before any applicable tax credits and other government incentives.^[25] In 2015, over 1900 electric B-class were sold in the USA.^[26] The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its five-cycle testing, rated the 2014 B-Class Electric Drive with an all-electric range of 87 mi (140 km). The energy consumption was rated at 40 kWh/100 miles for combined city/highway driving, corresponding to a fuel economy of 84 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent - MPGe - (2.8 L/100 km; 101 mpg _imp). The rating for city driving is

85 mpg-e (2.8 L/100 km; 102 mpg _imp), and 83 mpg-e (2.8 L/100 km; 100 mpg _imp) for highway.^[27]

Engines

• 
  Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI (W246; Australia; pre-facelift)
• 
  Mercedes-Benz B 180 (Germany; facelift)
• 
  Mercedes-Benz B 180 (Germany; facelift)
• 
  Interior

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

• B-Class - Official Mercedes-Benz Canada page
• Official Mercedes-Benz Canada B200 marketing page
• Mercedes B-Class Now Sold In Canada
• Mercedes-Benz B-Class Mercedes-Benz B-Class UK Information

Press kit:

• The B-Class: Heralding a new era in the compact class