Mercedes-Benz B-Class W246

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class interior

When the first Mercedes-Benz B-Class debuted in 2005, it's hard to classify if this is a compact or an MPV but whatever the heck is, it's classified as a multipurpose passenger vehicle, accommodating only five passengers and with a bigger boot for your necessities. When it came in the Philippines a few years ago, we don't really care about it at all. It's just another pointless experiment not only because of the pricing but it is because we just don't want to...

As it reaches the second-generation, under the W246 designation, the new (in German: der neu) B-Class (B-Klasse) made a bit more redundant not only because of the decreased height, but only because of the Viano-like exterior that makes customers saying that this new B-Class looks somewhat familiar.

In the interior of the W246 B-Class, there's not a bit of surprise even though it was lifted from the SLS AMG sportscar to deliver some inspiration to call it a gentleman's club but the B-Class is not fit to be a gentleman's club. This was somewhat a soccer mom's club. To provide room for luggage, the rear seats can be folded and level them in different heights. The optional Easy-Vario-Plus allows both the front and rear seats to be folded forward to add load capacity. However, the COMAND Online navigation system's a bit small and it needs a sharp-eyed soccer mom to handle the navigation system.

For the petrol type, it is offered with the M270 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection engine that were tuned differently between 122 to 156PS of power. For the diesel type, the new B-Class is offered with a OM 651 2.0L Common Rail Diesel Injection engine that were tuned differently between 109 to 136PS of power. Most variants come with the 6-speed manual transmission or with the all new 7G-DCT developed specifically for the new B-Class. This new 7G-DCT provides smooth gear changes and 9% more efficient than conventional Double Clutch Transmissions. This is the first to offer a 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission.

The new COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST would be the safest feature to be offered on the new B-Class. It outputs a visual and acoustic warning to alert distracted drivers to identified obstacles, and initiates Brake Assist for the most precise possible braking response. For the first time, the PRE-SAFE preventive occupant protection system is available on the new B-Class and this system is by any means of reversible belt tensioning, the closing of side windows and sliding sunroof. Seems that this new B-Class is now focused to be the safest.

Available in 10 colors: Nachtschwarz, Jupiterrot, Zirrusweiß, Canyonbeige metallic, Kosmosschwarz metallic, Lotosblau metallic, Monolithgrau metallic, Mountaingrau metallic, Polarsilber metallic, and Universumblau metallic.

My comment:
This new B-Class W246 seems to be a miniaturized Viano by the looks of it but this is somewhat rather a rare opportunity to recover the pace where the first model fail to impress. The new 7G-DCT and the new COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST were just one of the reasons why this new B-Class should be trusted. It seems that this new model came to the right direction, well almost in the right direction. So, will it come to the Philippines? There will be a 20% probability...



Photo: Daimler A.G.