The B-Class, A New Kind Of Mercedes-Benz
TORONTO, ON - Mercedes-Benz is once again asserting its role as the trendsetter among car brands and preparing the way for a young market segment with the arrival of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class across Canada. The Compact Sports Tourer meets the wishes of today's younger and discerning motorists who are looking for a car with generous space, exemplary comfort, excellent practicality, an exciting design and a high level of driving pleasure.
Mercedes-Benz Canada President and CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt says, "The new B-Class is an innovative and ground-breaking vehicle concept that is, in pure Mercedes-Benz tradition, pioneering new and untapped segments. The B-Class will broaden the brand's scope further than ever before and represents a significant opportunity for Mercedes-Benz Canada to target completely new consumers. Available in two gasoline engine configurations and priced starting at $30,950, we strongly believe that the new B-Class is the ideal vehicle for the Canadian market which traditionally supports smaller car segments."
The new B-Class takes the advantages of different vehicle concepts and combines them into an interesting and distinctive profile of its own: as a Compact Sports Tourer, the B-Class is a sporty touring and spacious recreational vehicle with incomparable added experience value in terms of design and dynamism.
One of the major advantages of the B-Class is the sandwich concept developed by Mercedes-Benz. Thanks to the space-saving arrangement of the engine and transmission partly in front of and partially beneath the passenger cell, the new B-Class offers the interior spaciousness of larger sedans and wagons despite its compact external dimensions.
The body has a length of 4,270 millimetres, corresponding to the compact car class. Inside, however, the new Mercedes model offers more than other cars of comparable size in this segment in all comfort-related respects, e.g. shoulder-room, legroom and headroom.
Occupants in the rear benefit from the long wheelbase (2,778 millimetres); this allows a distance between seats and generous kneeroom, which almost matches that in the S-Class.
The B-Class also reaches new dimensions where variability and load capacity are concerned. Thanks to a height-adjustable load compartment floor, an asymmetrically divided, folding rear seat, it is quickly and easily converted from a comfortable touring car to a practical vehicle. Depending on the number and position of the seats, the load capacity can be increased from 550 to up to 1,530 litres.
Top-class technology for agile handling and outstanding safety
Innovations in the field of suspension technology have contributed greatly to a successful combination of agility, safety and comfort – with all these attributes enjoying equal importance.
The electromechanical power steering system generates its servo effect with an electric motor, varying it as a function of road speed. This means the servo action is greater at low speeds than at high speeds, thus making it easier to park or manoeuvre slowly. The parabolic rear axle is likewise a new development. It makes a major contribution to the stable, sporty and precise handling, as well as the excellent ride comfort of the new B-Class.
Typical Mercedes safety thanks to the sandwich concept
The patented sandwich principle, which achieves wonders, where economy of space is concerned, is the centrepiece of the safety concept in the new B-Class. Intelligently arranging the engine and transmission in an inclined position partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell makes a greater effective front end length available for crash deformation. During a severe frontal impact the drive unit is not moved backwards towards the interior, but slides downwards along the likewise inclined pedal floor panel. Moreover, the sandwich concept has significant advantages in the event of a side impact collision because the occupants are seated approx. 200 millimetres higher – and therefore above the impact zone. This means that despite its compact exterior dimensions, the B-Class provides the level of occupant safety typically found in a Mercedes.
Two-stage front air bags, belt tensioners in the front and on the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat attachments and head/thorax side bags round off the standard occupant protection system.
High-quality materials and extensive standard appointments
The interior appointments likewise correspond to the high standard set by Mercedes‑Benz. The design and feel of the interior features complement each other, creating an atmosphere in which the occupants are immediately at ease to enjoy the high level of long-distance comfort. Standard features include air conditioning, a four-spoke steering wheel with multifunction buttons, an armrest between the front seats, power windows and tinted glass, plus high-quality trim of brushed aluminium on the centre console, tunnel and door panels.
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada; Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada employs approximately 900 people in 22 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 18 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 35 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 15,790 vehicles in 2005, the best year ever reported for Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
For more information, visit our media site at www.media.mercedes-benz.ca or contact us at:
JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Arden Nerling 416-847-7556 nerling@mercedes-benz.ca
