THE MERCEDES-BENZ B-Class is one of the more interesting offerings currently on the market, and certainly appealing to over-50 drivers.
The new model is larger and more practical inside than its predecessor, more technologically advanced and featuring an updated design.
The latest B-Class adopts many of the key architectural, technological and design cues of the A-Class model, and adds more passenger and loading space, a taller seating position and increased visibility in all directions thanks to its low belt line and deep glasshouse.
“More practical than ever, more chic than ever,” is how Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes‑Benz Cars Marketing & Sales, characterises the new B‑Class. “In our portfolio of compacts, it’s the perfect vehicle for the whole family.”
Improved design
The brief – to create an attractive vehicle distinct from SUVs and mini-vans – was achieved using a 2729mm wheelbase with short overhangs, a slightly lowered roofline and a flowing transition from the ‘predator’ nose to a windscreen that emphasises the muscular shoulders of the cabin.
At the back, two-part lamps and a distinctive black bumper bottom section with diffuser look and chrome trim strip accentuate the width of the B-Class. The lower roofline contributes to best-in-class airflow (drag coefficient is reduced from 0.25 to 0.24 in the new B-Class), while aerodynamics engineers have reduced wind noise, for a more relaxed driving experience.
Space and practicality inside
Inside, the driver sits 90mm higher than in the A-Class, with which the B-Class shares its fundamental architecture. This, in addition to optimised roof pillars, lends occupants a better all-round view along with easier ingress/egress.
Like the A-Class, the instrument panel in front of the driver is among the most technologically advanced in the Mercedes-Benz range, employing two 10.25-inch fully digital displays in the same ‘widescreen cockpit’ array used in both the A-Class and E-Class ranges.
The seats offer a flatter, more comfortable seating position as well as a larger adjustment range, increasing maximum possible headroom. The cabin is also 33mm wider at 1456mm, creating front elbow width more in line with a mid-size vehicle.
The interior has been fine-tuned in many places: improved passage over the centre tunnel in the rear makes for a more accessible middle seat. The rear seat backrest comes as standard with a 40:20:40 split. Although the luggage compartment capacity of 455 litres (or 1540 litres with the rear seats folded) is roughly the same as the previous model, improvements in the compartment packaging make more efficient use of the space.
Australian-specified cars will be available for the first time with a powered tailgate, which will be standard equipment along with hands-free access – the ability to open the tailgate with a kicking motion beneath the rear bumper – and keyless-go entry and start.
Technology advances
Following in the footsteps of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the B-Class is fitted with the intuitive and interactive vehicle control system, MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), although in our experience “intuitive and interactive” are relative terms. This system allows vehicle occupants to say ‘Hey Mercedes’ (we wonder if it responds if you mispronounce Mercedes as “Mer-seedies” – we’ll try it when we spend some time in the car) followed by any of dozens of common requests from radio and multimedia settings, to navigation and telephony functions, and changes to in-cabin climate or lighting settings.
MBUX also can ‘learn’ the preferences of vehicle occupants – over a period of weeks and months, the system notices patterns and can prompt occupants with timely suggestions for common habits or settings. Different drivers can also set up their own profile containing their own individual preferences – an extremely handy function when multiple drivers share the same vehicle.
Connect me
All MBUX-equipped models including the B-Class can now join ‘Mercedes me Connect, the advanced connectivity network that allows the owner to remotely interact with their vehicle, as well as enabling numerous other functions.
This places key vehicle information at the owner’s fingertips via the Mercedes me Connect smartphone app − from tyre pressures, fuel and fluid levels, brake pad condition and mileage, to the vehicle’s exact location, whether parked or in motion.
A raft of other functions includes remote door locking and unlocking plus climate control setting, via the app; being able to identify and navigate the vehicle to nearby parking spaces; remotely pre-programming a destination into navigation ahead of a journey; an alert if a collision has been detected, the anti-theft warning system is triggered, or the vehicle has been towed; and geofencing, which allows the owner to set a boundary for the vehicle and to be informed if the vehicle leaves the area. The app can also be linked to in-home devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, enabling control of key vehicle functions via home-based spoken commands.
The Mercedes me Connect app also links directly to the vehicle’s service needs and can receive alerts and updates, and connect directly to a Mercedes-Benz service centre to book a service appointment.
The Mercedes-Benz B 180 Sports Tourer
The B 180 will be the sole B-Class model available. The new B 180 Sports Tourer is fitted with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine making 100 kilowatts of power and 200 Newton-metres of torque, paired with a 7G DCT seven-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel consumption is just 5.7 litres per 100km.
Safety and convenience technologies include Active Parking Assist (with Parktronic), Active Lane Keep Assist, Active Brake Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Blind Spot Assist with exit warning, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, electronically folding exterior mirrors, and the Pre-safe accident anticipatory system.
Other key features include DAB+ digital radio, NTG6 MB navigation, a nine-speaker audio system with 225-watt output, 17-inch 5 twin-spoke alloy wheels, ‘Comfort’ seats in Artico (it really does stand for “artificial cow”) upholstery, climate control, smartphone integration, a new-generation three-spoke sports steering wheel with touch controllers and shift paddles, and Dynamic Select, which provides a choice of driving modes.
The price for the new Mercedes-Benz B 180 Sports Tourer is $46,400 (plus ORC) and it is on sale in Australia now.
Once we have tested and assessed the B-Series, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.