2012 Mercedes B-Class Breaks Cover
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
In the last few months we’ve seen plenty of spy shots with the new generation of the Mercedes B-Class, along with some teasers, a concept car and preliminary information. Now, the German automaker has decided to give us the real deal. Set to make an official debut next month during the Frankfurt Motor Show, the new B-Class wants to be a top player in the compact MPV segment.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
In United Kingdom, the car is scheduled to hit the dealerships in April 2012 and it will be the very first car to ride on MB’s new FWD platform that will also be used for next year’s all-new A-Class. As you can see from these official photos, the new B-Class looks a lot different from its predecessor, both inside and out.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Compared to the 2005 model, the B-Class is now 89 mm longer, 11 mm wider and 48 mm lower, measuring 4359 mm long, 1786 mm wide and 1537 mm tall. The car’s front seats are now lower by 86 mm and they have a more upright position. Mercedes-Benz says, and this is really incredible, that the car has more legroom than the S-Class! Cargo capacity has increased by 121 liters to a grand total of 666 liters.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Inside the cabin, the Germans took their inspiration for the dashboard from the SLS, and this can only be a good thing. Some of the new goodies of the model include a standalone color monitor for the entertainment and navigation systems with optional Internet access.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Upon launch, the 2012 Mercedes B-Class will be available with two 1.6-liter gasoline engines, one that fires 121 hp and has a peak torque of 147 lb.-ft while the other is a more powerful unit with 154 hp and 184 lb.-ft. The torque for both engines will be available at just 1250 rpm. Both of them will benefit from the stop/start technology and the company’s 3rd generation of the direct-injection system. You’ll probably see these engine in the near future fitted to the C-Class and E-Class.
2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
At first, there’s going to be a 1.8-liter diesel engine which will be offered in two output configurations: the entry-level 107 hp / 189 lb.-ft unit and the more powerful 134 hp / 221 lb.-ft unit.
As standard, all of the engines are going to be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, but clients will be able to get the B-Class with a dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox that promises to be light and compact. The automaker says that this transmission will increase fuel economy by 9% in comparison to the outgoing CVT gearbox.
Source: Mercedes-Benz via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz b class
