New Mercedes-Benz B-Class, the tourer that dreamed of greater sportiness

In the fierce battle for market share between SUVs and MPVs, the understated family cars such as the Mercedes-Benz B-Class are cautiously poking their noses in to win a slice of the pie. It is certainly a difficult undertaking, but Mercedes is not giving up, and the B-Class undergoes a thorough change, especially inside, which translates into more technological equipment, greater sportiness and a substantial improvement in driving.

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class has three features that will serve as its calling card to the public: a sportier and younger look, driving with greater agility and a comfort that also increases for all occupants. To achieve this, Mercedes has given the B-Class a facelift that brings it into line with the recent presentations of the brand, along with a new interior design that includes more technology, even adopting features seen on higher-end models of the brand such as the S-Class.

On the outside, the front still has a low profile, but its design is completely transformed thanks to the new bumper with more pronounced lines, which houses new air intakes, as well as a larger new grille, while on either side of it sits a new light cluster with a sharper, more aggressive design, which will be LED High Performance as standard, although you can optionally fit Multibeam LED headlights.

From the side we can appreciate its long 2,729 mm wheelbase with short overhangs, while on the roof, although it may seem similar to the outgoing model, its line is now lower and its wheels, now ranging from 17 to 19 inches, complete its new proportions. At the rear the changes are also clearly visible: the spoiler is now more prominent and surrounds the rear window with bright-finish mouldings; lower down, the tailgate still offers generous dimensions, although its lines are now more pronounced and elegant, abandoning the chrome strip in the centre and also housing a new, more streamlined light cluster; finally, a new, taller bumper that also houses the new exhaust outlets.

Overall, its exterior design becomes sportier while also more elegant, certainly to appeal to a greater number of customers, but it will also be more effective, because the new Mercedes B-Class improves its aerodynamic coefficient compared with the current model thanks to its new lines. Moreover, these lines also help create greater visibility and more interior space; proof of this is the 90 mm of extra headroom the driver gains compared with an A-Class.

Moving to the interior, the changes are also more than evident, as the new B-Class has nothing in common in this respect with its predecessor. Following the line of the latest presentations by Mercedes, the new B-Class will also incorporate the MBUX system with two screens that appear to sit on the same level, giving the driver and passengers access to all kinds of information. Among other technologies, the system will come as standard with the “Hey Mercedes” voice command, new displays and animations, as well as new functions such as MBUX Augmented Reality. Naturally, with everything needed available on these touchscreens, the button clusters have been reduced to a minimum for controlling the climate system, a system whose air vent design has also been modified.

For now we do not have more detailed information about its dimensions and interior capacity, but Mercedes assures that occupants of the new B-Class will enjoy more space, will benefit from equipment previously reserved for higher ranges, and will be able to choose from a range of more efficient engines, which will also debut the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

But we will not have to wait long for more concrete details, as the new Mercedes B-Class can be ordered starting next December, while deliveries to customers will begin in February 2019.