Mercedes introduced its B-Class, the automaker's successor to its controversial A-Class, in mid-2005, and since then the four-door hatch "Baby-Benz" has proven to be one of the company's most popular models. Having sold approximately 325,000 units worldwide so far, today Mercedes unveiled a freshened design with a host of small improvements.
On the outside the 2008 B-Class receives a new front end, with a three-slot grille painted metallic gray and featuring a large three-pointed star mounted in the center, similar to a C350 Sport. Along the sides the door handles, side mirrors, and skirt panels are now body colored, and the rear receives a new bumper, "high-brilliance look" taillights, and a chrome handle strip across the hatch. A black plastic insert on the rear bumper is replaced by chrome on models featuring the sports package. Inside the new B-Class features improved materials overall and a new fabric adorns the seats and door linings.
Livability is also improved with two new tech features that focus on the B-Class' primary role as intra-city transport: an optional active parking assist system can guide drivers through tricky parallel parking maneuvers, and hill-start assist keeps the car from rolling backwards when starting off uphill. However the B-Class' most interesting updates are under the hood. The B-Class will now feature 6 available engines: two direct-injection diesel engines making 109 hp and 140 hp respectively, and four gas variants with power ranging up to 193hp. For the first time all gas engines will come with an Eco start/stop function similar to the systems on hybrid cars, which can reduce fuel consumption up to 9% in city driving.
In addition one of the engines, dubbed BlueEFFICIENCY, will be able to run on both premium gasoline and natural gas used in conjunction with each other to maximize range. The NGT (for Natural Gas Technology) model contains a standard gasoline tank as well as 5 natural gas tanks, and the driver can choose which fuel to burn at the touch of a steering wheel button, even while the car is at speed.
The closest the B-Class currently gets to U.S. shores is in Canada, where the model is a strong seller. Mercedes has indicated that the B-Class may come to the U.S. as well. With automotive tastes here beginning to shift from large, gas-hungry vehicles to smaller fare, it's a fair bet that they will.
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