Revamped, sporty-looking Mercedes B-Class for sale in new year

The new Mercedes B-Class will be one of the early new year arrivals in Ireland, having received a top-to-bottom makeover in terms of its design, specifications, and attractiveness.

Since its launch, in 2005, the B-Class has been one of the ‘quiet achievers’ within the Mercedes-Benz fold, with 1.5m of them sold.

While retaining all of the space and comfort that appealed to owners previously, this latest version has been transformed into a truly sporty and attractive car. It is in closer visual harmony with the new generation of Mercedes-Benz models.

Powering the new B-Class are new, more efficient engines, all in compliance with new Euro 6d-TEMP limits, which are mandatory on all new cars produced from 2020.

Five engine variants will be available at launch, two petrol (B180 and B200) and three diesel models (B180d, B200d and B220d).

Likely to be the most popular here will be the B180 petrol and B180d versions. With its 7G, dual-clutch transmission, the 136bhp, 200Nm B180 has a combined fuel consumption of 5.6 - 5.4-litres per 100km, and combined CO2 emissions of 128 - 124 g/km. The B180d, with its 116bhp and 260Nm performance, has a 7G dual-clutch transmission, combined fuel consumption of 4.4 - 4.1-litres per 100km, and combined CO2 emissions of 115 - 109 g/km.

Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Ireland, describes the new B-Class as having the heart of an athlete. “Perfect for those who attach importance to space, it brings sporty, more dynamic motoring to the touring-minded motorist, whilst offering comfort and safety and better interior dimensions than the model it replaces,” Allen said.

Prices — to be announced closer to its launch — will be ‘pitched competitively’ to increase B-Class sales in Ireland well beyond all previous levels, he said.

Meanwhile, Mercedes has added the E 350 engine to the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet.

The E350 features a 2.0-litre petrol engine with EQ Boost, which has an output of 299hp and 400Nm of torque.

EQ Boost uses a 48-volt onboard network with a belt-driven starter/alternator — the system adds 14hp to the car’s overall output.

It can travel from 0 to 62mph in 5.9 seconds — 6.1 seconds for the cabriolet — and has an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The coupé delivers up to 40.9 combined mpg and emits 158 g/km of CO2 (depending on wheel size), while the cabriolet can achieve 39.8 combined mpg and emits 163 g/km of CO2. Both the coupé and cabriolet come as standard with a 9G-Tronic Plus 9-speed automatic transmission.

The E350 coupé and cabriolet come packed with a high specification as standard, including blind spot assist; 12.3-inch widescreen cockpit display; two centre console and two rear USB ports; touchpad with controller; illuminated door sills; 19-inch, five-twin-spoke alloy wheels; ‘seat comfort’ package, including electrically adjustable front seats; privacy glass (coupé only); ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours; Keyless-Go starting function; heated front seats; split, folding rear seats; black, open-pore ash wood trim with black, Artico Dinamica leather upholstery.