This new model is now available in the B 200 and B 200 TURBO variants in Mercedes-Benz showrooms around the country.

The B-Class meets the wishes for a car with space, comfort, practicality and driving pleasure. This new Mercedes development takes the advantages of different vehicle concepts and combines them into a distinctive profile of its own.

One of the major advantages of the Compact Sports Tourer is the sandwich concept developed by Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to the space-saving arrangement of the engine and transmission partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell, the new B-Class offers the interior spaciousness of larger saloons and estate cars despite its compact external dimensions. The body has a length of 4270 millimetres, corresponding to the compact car class. Inside, however, the new Mercedes model offers more than other cars of comparable size in this segment in all comfort-related respects, e.g. shoulder-room, legroom and headroom.

Occupants in the rear benefit from the long wheelbase (2778 millimetres); this allows a distance between seats and generous knee-room which almost matches that in the S-Class. The B-Class also reaches new dimensions where variability and load capacity are concerned. Thanks to a height-adjustable load compartment floor, an asymmetrically divided, folding and removable rear seat unit plus an optionally removable front passenger seat, the Compact Sports Tourer is quickly and easily converted from a comfortable touring car to a practical van. Depending on the number and position of the seats, the load capacity can be increased from 544 to up to 2245 litres (with rear seats and front passenger seat removed). This corresponds to the load capacity of large estate cars. The maximum loading length is 2.95 metres.

Four-cylinder engines with up to 142 kW

Two four-cylinder petrol units meet the need of the Sports Tourer concept for effortless performance and driving pleasure. The outputs range from 100 kW to 142 kW. The top-of-the-line B 200 TURBO is equipped with a new two-litre, four-cylinder engine which delivers a maximum torque of 280 Newton metres from as little as 1,800 rpm thanks to turbocharging and intercooling, and maintains this value over a wide engine speed range up to 4,850 rpm. This means that the most powerful of the Compact Sports Tourers accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 225 km/h.

The new B 200 is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission as standard and the B 200 TURBO receives a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The newly developed, continuously variable AUTOTRONIC automatic transmission is optionally available for both engine variants of the B-Class.

Agile handling and outstanding safety

Innovations in the field of suspension technology have contributed greatly to a successful combination of agility, safety and comfort – with these attributes enjoying equal importance.

The newly developed electromechanical power steering system generates its servo effect with an electric motor, varying it as a function of road speed. This means the servo action is greater at low speeds than at high speeds, which means that the steering is much lighter than a conventional system when parking or manoeuvring slowly. The parabolic rear axle is likewise a new development. It makes a major contribution to the stable, sporty and precise handling, as well as the ride comfort of the new B-Class.

The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP^®) now has a new, additional function: the STEER CONTROL steering assistance system. This operates in tandem with the electromechanical power steering system, providing the appropriate servo assistance in critical handling situations to help the driver stabilise the vehicle. When braking on road surfaces offering less grip on one side than the other the new, additional ESP^® function also helps with steering corrections and provides the driver with better road contact. As a further special feature included as standard, the suspension of the Compact Sports Tourer has a new, selective damping system which adapts the shock absorber response to the current driving situation. A soft shock absorber configuration ensures a high level of ride comfort during normal driving, but switches to maximum damping force when taking bends at speed to give the B-Class maximum stability.

Sandwich concept

The sandwich concept, which achieves wonders where economy of space is concerned, is the centrepiece of the safety concept in the new B-Class. Arranging the engine and transmission in an inclined position partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell makes a greater effective front end length available for crash deformation. During a severe frontal impact the drive unit is not moved backwards towards the interior, but slides downwards along the likewise inclined pedal floor panel. Moreover, the sandwich concept has significant advantages in the event of a lateral collision because the occupants are seated approx. 200 millimetres higher – and therefore above the impact zone. This means that despite its compact exterior dimensions, the B-Class provides the level of occupant safety typically found in a Mercedes.

Adaptive, two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners in the front and on the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters, active head restraints, front sidebags and windowbags round off the standard occupant protection system.

Standard appointments

The interior appointments likewise correspond to the standard set by Mercedes-Benz. The design and feel of the interior features complement each other, providing an atmosphere in which the occupants are immediately at ease to enjoy the high level of long-distance comfort. Standard specification includes air conditioning, a four-spoke steering wheel with multifunction buttons, an armrest between the front seats, passenger seat table function, power windows and tinted glass, plus high-quality trim of brushed aluminium on the centre console, tunnel and door panels.

Mercedes-Benz has grouped further design features which accentuate the B-Class in the form of optionally available luxury, sports and touring packages

High technology from bi-xenon to THERMOTRONIC

High-tech systems from the Mercedes luxury class further enhance comfort and the driving experience in the new Compact Sports Tourer. Optionally available features include THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery and the COMAND APS radio/navigation system. A newly developed, panoramic louvred sunroof provides the occupants of the new B-Class with an open-air feeling as an optional extra, and in its closed position it also contributes to the light, friendly atmosphere in the interior of the Compact Sport Tourer. The roof aperture is around two thirds larger than that of a conventional sliding roof. A fixed panoramic roof with a grey-tinted, 0.6-square-metre glass panel is optionally available as an alternative to the sliding roof. On request the standard projection-beam headlamps behind their clear lenses can be upgraded to bi-xenon headlights which includes Active Light System.

Pricing for the B 200 and B 200 TURBO respectively is $44,900 and $48,900 respectively.

2006 Mercedes-Benz B 200

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