MERCEDES-BENZ B 250 MIXES FUN WITH FUNCTION

B-Klasse 2014 B-Class 2014

The Mercedes B-Class has been on sale in Australia for almost a decade, having evolved from one of Benz’s cleverest products, the A-Class city car. The latter was one of the first little-big cars – managing to combine a small exterior with a deceptively large, strictly two-seat interior, largely through its tall body.

The B-Class inherited many of these qualities but with a more conventional styling than its boxier older sibling, but nevertheless it’s still taller than the average five-door hatchback. The benefits include easy step-in access, a relatively high driving height and excellent rear head and headroom, even when fitted with the optional panoramic twin-sunroof.

The latest B-Class arrived here in March 2015 with the mildest of facelifts that include a new bumper, wider radiator grille and integrated daytime running light. The rear bumper is also new with some chromed highlights. Engine capacities and outputs are unchanged but there are a number of interior enhancements including the inevitable infotainment catch-ups.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
There are four engine options in the Benz Bs, three petrol and one diesel – all turbocharged. The B 180 and B 200 get the same 1.6-litre turbo-petrol but in different levels of tune. The B 180 peaks at 90 kW and 200 Nm with the B 200 tweaked up to 115 kW and 250 Nm. In line with its sportier credentials the B 250 4Matic comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and outputs of 155 kW and 350 Nm.

The B 200 CDI comes with a 100 kW / 300 Nm 2.2-litre turbo-diesel unit.

Official fuel consumption ranges from 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the B 200 TDI to 6.8 L/100 km in the B 250. The latter also uses all-wheel drive, the other three are driven by the front wheels.

All models have seven-speed direct-shift automatic transmission.

B-Klasse 2014 B-Class 2014

SAFETY
All variants come with nine airbags; ABS brakes with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; Electronic Stability Control with Acceleration Skid Control; brake pad wear indicator; Pre-Safe accident anticipatory system; automatic headlights; front and rear parking sensors; and reversing camera.

The B 200 and B 250 models also get LED headlamps; full LED rear lamp cluster including brake and reversing light; and Blind Spot Assist.

In addition to all-wheel drive the B 250 has an Anti-Theft alarm system with interior monitoring and tow-away protection.

There is no spare wheel in any model, instead using run-flat safety tyres with a pressure loss warning system. A 16-inch space saver spare wheel can be purchased as an accessory. The boot can take a healthy 488 litres although that will be reduced if you opt for the spare which can be strapped onto the top of the boot floor.

Mercedes-Benz_B200_interior

INFOTAINMENT
New to the 2015 B-Class is an 8-inch colour screen that sits on top of the dashboard. We have seen retractable screens in this location but in the Merc it’s fixed, possibly because of its size. Nor is it a touchscreen, instead being controlled through a mouse-type knob in the centre console area, a safer, less distracting option in our opinion.

Garmin Map Pilot satellite navigation is standard across the range as is an Audio 20 sound system; single-disc CD player; Bluetooth phone plus audio streaming; and USB and Aux sockets.

DRIVING
Getting underway is likely to prove a bit of a chore for the uninitiated. The start/stop button is tucked away on the dashboard behind the steering wheel, the parking brake lever (push for on and pull for off) is on the right hand side of the dashboard and the gear shifter is a small stalk mounted on the right-hand side of the steering column. And be prepared to be pinned to the back of your seat courtesy of the automatic seatbelt tensioners.

None of the above are serious long-term criticisms because once an owner settles in all these various controls will become second-nature … and they do free up space in the centre console.

Potentially more serious is the operation of the car’s cruise control which uses another small stalk tucked away behind the steering column meaning that it can really only be operated by touch. At one stage during our test we accidentally pressed the stalk in and activated the speed limiter, a potentially dangerous error. Likewise we’ve heard of drivers inadvertently putting the transmission into neutral when the shifter has been mistaken for the blinker lever.

Once we got the Mercedes B 250 onto the road all that was forgotten because this is a delightful driving car, one that combines functionality for the day-to-day commuter with performance for the keen driver.

Handling is neat and tidy and noise levels are generally well isolated. It’s not as quiet and smooth to ride in as the larger, more expensive Benz sedans and Australian coarse-chip surfaces did create more noise than we expected.

We averaged around 7.6 L/100 km during our test on a mix of urban and motorway conditions.

SUMMING UP
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is often overlooked by buyers caught up in the current SUV craze. A pity because not only is it smaller on the outside than most compact SUVs, but it also has more interior space. As well it’s easier and more enjoyable to drive, safer and, being lighter, is more economical and less harmful to the environment.

We wouldn’t go as far as to call the B-Class a ‘sports tourer’, as Mercedes tags it although it does have a reasonably sleek style in its class. It’s a prestige brand and so prices are higher but there is that big three-pointed star on the grille to help retain its value over the years.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
B 180 1.6-litre 90kW turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $41,400 (automatic)
B 200 1.6-litre 115kW turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $47,400
B 200 CDI 2.2-litre turbo-diesel five-door hatch: $47,900
B 250 4MATIC 2.0-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch: $54,200
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for drive-away prices.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Curtain Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Mercedes-Benz B250 4Matic 2.0-litre turbo-petrol five-door hatch)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 1,991 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 155 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 350 Nm @ 1250 rpm
Fuel Type: 98RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 6.8 L/100km
Greenhouse Vehicle Guide Rating: 7.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5 /10

DRIVELINE:
Seven-speed automatic. All-wheel drive

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4466 mm
Wheelbase: 2699 mm
Width: 1786 mm
Height: 1558 mm
Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
Kerb Mass: 1480 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres

BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years/ unlimited km

About Alistair Kennedy

Alistair Kennedy is Automotive News Service and Marque Publishing's business manager and the company's jack-of-all-trades. An accountant by profession, he designs the Marque range of motoring book titles, operates the company's motoring bookshop on the NSW Central Coast and the associated web site, as well as its huge digital and hard copy database. Whenever we can escape from the office he does so to cover new vehicle releases and contributes news stories. Alistair's other interests include cricket and family history on which he has written three books.
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