Mercedes-Benz today released details of the new B class that will debut at the Frankfurt auto show next month. The latest B class is lower than the current car, giving it a sleeker appearance. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Mercedes says the car will have more new technology than the brand has ever offered before when launching a new-generation car. “No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop,” said Thomas Weber, the brand’s development chief, in a statement.
The B class will be offered with an all-new series of 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, gasoline direct-injection engines (internally known as M270) with 122 hp or 156 hp.
The car also gets a new four-cylinder turbodiesel derived from the OM651 units used in the brand’s bigger models, including the S class and C class. The engine’s capacity has been downsized to 1.8 liters and two power options, 109 hp and 136 hp, will be available.
All the engines have fuel-saving stop-start systems and can be paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission or a new six-speed manual transmission.
The B class will also offer a radar-based collision warning system with braking assistance that Mercedes says is a first in its segment and lowers the risk of rear-end accidents. The system uses visual and acoustic warnings to alert a distracted driver to potential hazards and prepares the brakes for a precise response.
The car also offers Mercedes’ PreSafe system for the first time. The system was first launched in the S class in 2002.
