The Mercedes-Benz designers have something to be proud of in this new B-Class. Gone is the boxy design of its predecessor which has been replaced by this modern stylish car. Up front the large grille takes centre stage whilst the sculpted roof highlights the cars reduced height over its forerunner. It’s certainly a handsome prospect and on looks alone will endeavour Mercedes-Benz to attract a new more youthful customer into their vehicles. The stylish exterior is equally matched by a high-class interior. It’s spacious and details such as the SLS AMG derived air vents create a distinctive and quality appearance. The seats offer excellent support and comfort, whilst there’s plenty of headroom available for all occupants.
The B180 CDI I drove will more than likely become the key seller in Ireland. Its diesel engine produces 109hp and 250Nm of torque. It’s an efficient power plant offering a combined fuel consumption of just 4.4l/100km and thanks to emissions of 114g/km of CO2 it’s seated in tax band A, with €160 annual road tax. My test car had the standard fitment six-speed manual gearbox, it’s effortless to live with and provides extremely light gear changes. Customers can choose to have a 7G dual-clutch transmission fitted which is ideally suited for motorists who spend a vast majority of their time commuting in traffic. Standard fitment across all models of the new B-Class is an ECO start/stop function, it works precisely as it should not interfering with the drive itself. There’s also a 2.0-litre diesel variant available which offers 136hp. On the move the B-Class has a composed ride and offers impressive handling considering it’s a compact MPV, driving dynamics aren’t sacrificed in the quest for space and practicality. Mercedes-Benz has fitted a number of safety features as standard, these include attention assist and a collision prevention system designed to reduce the risk of slow-speed collisions.
Mercedes-Benz has transformed the B-Class into a modern stylish compact MPV deserving of the three-pointed badge. Crucially they have managed to reduce the car’s price which will make it accessible to new customers, with prices commencing from €29,330.
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