Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Overview
Manufacturer Daimler AG
Production 2005–present
Assembly Rastatt, Germany
Kecskemét, Hungary
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a car produced by German automaker Mercedes-Benz since 2005. Mercedes-Benz markets it as a sports compact tourer. It is similar to the A-Class, though bigger and with bigger engines. The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) classifies it as a small MPV (multi-purpose vehicle).[1] As of December 20, 2013, delivery of B-Class vehicles reached 1 million since the launch of the B-Class in 2005.[2]

First generation (W245, 2005–2011)

First generation
Overview
Production 2005–2011
Model years 2006–2011
Body and chassis
Platform Mercedes-Benz T245
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2006–08: 2,786 mm (109.7 in)
2009-11: 2,779 mm (109.4 in)
Length 4,270 mm (168.1 in)
Width 1,778 mm (70.0 in)
Height 2006–08: 1,613 mm (63.5 in)
2009–11: 1,603 mm (63.1 in)

In 2005 it was introduced in spring in Europe and in autumn in Canada. The B-Class is a front-wheel drive car with a sandwich floor construction and a parabolic rear suspension.[3]

All models included many passive automobile safety systems like ESP, ABS, traction control, cornering lights, active lighting system, and headlamp assist.[4] In the event of a frontal impact the engine and transmission slides beneath the passenger compartment.

In 2008 it was updated with a start-stop system and a BlueEFFICIENCY option.[5] A new NGT variant was added, which could burn either gasoline or natural gas.[6]

In 2011 Mercedes-Benz did a world tour with three of its Mercedes-Benz F-Cell vehicles, one of which was the B-Class. The hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle was driven more than 30,000 kilometres in a circumnavigation of the globe, starting and ending in Stuttgart.[7]

Second generation (W246, 2012–present)

Second generation
Overview
Production 2011–present
Model years 2012–present
Body and chassis
Platform Mercedes-Benz W246
Powertrain
Engine 1.6L I4
1.8L Diesel I4
Transmission 6-speed manual
7-speed Dual-clutch
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,699 mm (106.3 in)
Length 4,359 mm (171.6 in)
Width 1,786 mm (70.3 in)
Height 1,557 mm (61.3 in)

The second generation B-Class was introduced at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany.[8] European models went on sale in November 2011. Japan models went on sale in April 2012. They assembled at Rastatt, Germany,[9] and from 2011 at Kecskemet, Hungary.[10] By summer 2013, over 230,000 second generation B-Class cars had been delivered.[11]

It included new gasoline and diesel engines, mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.[12] Drag coefficient was lowered, despite growing in overall dimensions to the benefit of interior space. A new four-cylinder engine was introduced with the model, the M270.[13]

New safety systems included adaptive cruise control, blind spot assist and, a collision prevention adaptive brake system.[14]

Variants and nomenclature

The last part of the model name indicates how the vehicle is powered:[15]

BlueEFFICIENCY

BlueEFFICIENCY is a term used by Mercedes-Benz for a series of measures which reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These include:[16]

The B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition was available from September 2013.[17]

B 200 Natural Gas Drive

Production version includes a choice of manual and 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission, and was available from early 2013.[18] European model was set to go on sale in February 2014.[2]

B-Class Electric Drive

Initial concept versions of the B-Class Electric Drive were developed under the Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO project using batteries from Li-tec,[19] but eventually used a drivetrain from Tesla. The Electric Drive was previewed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show,[20] the 2013 New York International Auto Show,[21] and the 2013 IAA International Motor Show 2013.[11] Production for retail customers began in April 2014 at Mercedes-Benz Rastatt factory.[22] In May 2014, Mercedes announced the B-Class Electric Drive will be available in Germany and the UK in the first quarter of 2015.[23] In November, Mercedes-Benz announced pricing for Germany and started accepting orders.

The concept has an electric motor rated 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) and 310 N·m (229 lb·ft), 36 kWh lithium-ion battery from Tesla Motors. The vehicle has a driving range of 200 km (124 mi) with a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph).[20] The battery can be charged at any standard domestic 230 V power outlet or 400 V rapid charging terminal.

Pricing in the U.S. starts at US$41,450 before any applicable tax credits and other government incentives.[24] In 2015 over 1900 electric B-class were sold in the USA.[25] The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its five-cycle testing, rated the 2014 B-Class Electric Drive with an all-electric range of 87 mi (140 km). The energy consumption was rated at 40 kWh/100 miles for combined city/highway driving, corresponding to a fuel economy of 84 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent - MPGe - (2.8 L/100 km; 101 mpg imp). The rating for city driving is

85 mpg-e (2.8 L/100 km; 102 mpg imp), and 83 mpg-e (2.8 L/100 km; 100 mpg imp) for highway.[26]

Image gallery

References

  1. ↑ "Official Mercedes Benz B Class 2011 safety rating results". www.euroncap.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  2. 1 2 Sales jubilee Mercedes-Benz B-Class: Mercedes-Benz B-Class – celebrating over one million sales
  3. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2005 - Car Review | Honest John". www.honestjohn.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  4. ↑ "MERCEDES BENZ B-Klasse (W245) (2005 - 2008)". autoevolution. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  5. ↑ Blanco, Sebastian. "New Mercedes-Benz A and B-Class models have start/stop, BlueEffieciency". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  6. ↑ "Mercedes B 170 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY" (PDF). ADAC. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  7. ↑ Staff, Autoblog. "Mercedes-Benz F-Cell World Drive successfully completed". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  8. ↑ "First public appearance of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class: Mercedes-Benz at the 2011 Frankfurt International Motor Show | Daimler Global Media Site > Brands & Products > Mercedes-Benz Cars > Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars > B-Class > 2011-09/2014". media.daimler.com. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  9. ↑ 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class gets big-car features
  10. ↑ Mercedes-Benz expanding Hungarian plant to support B-Class, CLA production
  11. 1 2 Mercedes-Benz at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show - Locally emission-free, powerful and networked - Electric motoring with no compromises: the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive
  12. ↑ Joseph, Noah. "Mercedes-Benz previews new B-Class ahead of Frankfurt debut". Autoblog. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  13. ↑ Compact sports tourer: the new B-Class from Mercedes-Benz - Heralding a new era in the compact class
  14. ↑ Mercedes-Benz previews new B-Class ahead of Frankfurt debut
  15. ↑ "Take Notes: Mercedes-Benz Announces New Nomenclature". blog.caranddriver.com. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  16. ↑ "BlueEFFICIENCY: fast forward to viable efficiency". Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Six new models join the A, B and CLA-Class: New engines and more traction
  18. ↑ Efficiency class A, 115 g CO2/km. Saving the environment and your wallet: the Mercedes B 200 Natural Gas Drive
  19. ↑ Media, BioAge. "Green Car Congress: Mercedes-Benz to Present BlueZERO Modular Drive Concept for Electric Vehicles at Detroit Show". www.greencarcongress.com. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
  20. 1 2 "Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Coming To U.S.: Report (Compliance Car Watch)". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2016-04-19.
  21. ↑ Mercedes-Benz at the 2013 NYIAS – reinforcement for the product offensive: Five new models for the record-breaking U.S. market
  22. ↑ Eric Loveday (2014-04-11). "Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Enters Production – Job #1 Rolls Off The Line". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2014-04-18.
  23. ↑ Mike Szostech. "Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive launches in the UK at the start of 2015". My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  24. ↑ Eric Loveday (2014-04-28). "BREAKING: Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Priced From $41,450". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
  25. ↑ Bart Demandt (2016-02-19). "US sales 2015 Alternative Power segment". Left-Lane.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  26. ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy (2014-07-25). "2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive". Fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved 2014-07-26.

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