Mercedes up game for B-Class

FOR many industry observers the recent and concerted effort by Mercedes in this country, the realignment of the prices of the majority of its model range, had a ‘not before time’ feel about it, but the bottom line for both the company and its consumers is that the majority of that rage is now more affordable than at any time anyone can remember.

Certainly there is a feeling in the industry that Mercedes is now — in an Irish context — much more competitive and, in the face of continuing onslaughts from its premium brand competitors, this cannot be a bad thing for both the company and its dealer network as well.

This week we are testing the new B-Class, a car which the company grandly describes as a compact sports tourer, but is in effect a mid-size MPV. In this game, of course, you get used to having to wade through a lot of hyperbole and when Mercedes describes any new car as being a ‘a quantum leap in the compact class,’ you do tend to look around for a pinch of salt.