What is it?
The Mercedes-Benz B Class facelift is a mid-life refresh of the Stuttgart based manufacturer’s Compact Luxury Tourer, or a “perfect blend of utility of a SUV, ride quality of a sedan and versatility of an MUV” – in Mercedes speak. Marking its global premiere in last year’s Paris Motor Show (2014), the B Class face-lift was launched in India today at a price of INR 27.95 lakhs* for the B 180 SPORT (petrol) and 28.95 lakhs* for the B 200 CDI SPORT (diesel). Like the previous model, the new B Class face-lift will continue to be imported and sold in the country as a CBU (Completely Built Unit).
*ex-showroom Mumbai
What’s new?
As with all these German mid-life refreshes, the changes are blink-and-you-miss-it types. Essentially, the B Class’s style is now more akin to the new Mercedes-Benz family look, which involves a new front fascia with a redesigned front bumper featuring bigger air ducts- like the one on the new A-Class, a mildly re-worked front grille along with new, slightly re-shaped headlamps with built in DRLs- LED High Performance headlamps are an optional extra.
The sides continue mostly unchanged, and the back gets a slightly modified bumper and tail lamps featuring LED elements. The interiors offer a new 17.8 cm free-standing display with a NTG 5*1 Audio 20 CD multimedia system (Two USB ports in the center armrest for external audio, picture and video devices), MP3/WMA/AAC/WAV-compatible CD Player, Reversing Camera, Attention Assist, seats with 60/40 split;covered in full ARTICO leather, 488 liters of internal storage space (1547 liters with the seats folded) and a fold-able rear arm rest with cup holders.
Engines and Transmission
The B 200 CDI continues with the 2143 cc, four cylinder diesel engine, but now produces 300 Nm of maximum torque @ 1600-3000 rpm and a maximum power of 134 bhp @ 3600-4400 rpm, as compared to 250 Nm and 107 bhp in the previous guise. The B 200 CDI has a certified fuel economy of 19.0 Kmpl.
The petrol motor is a 1595 cc, 4 cylinder, turbocharged unit which cranks out 120 bhp @ 5000 rpm and 200 Nm of twist @ 1250 RPM. Fuel economy for the B 180 is rated at 14.8 Kmpl. Both engines are paired to the 7G-DCT 7 speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Head to the gallery below for more pictures from the launch!
