Mercedes B-Class!!!

With the new B 180, Mercedes-Benz is targeting a whole new demographic in India. Will this new car tempt buyers into trying something different?

The test car came with a sports package that includes low-profile tyres on 18-inch rims and a lowered, sports suspension. The launch car comes with what Merc calls a comfort suspension, which offers higher ground clearance, softer suspension settings and more practical 16-inch wheels on the base petrol variant, while the B 180 Sport gets 17-inch wheels.

The sports kit no doubt adds to the ground-hugging looks of the B-class, but look past the eye candy and you’ll see what looks like a shrunken R-class. There’s that low bonnet, steeply raked windshield and high roofline, and despite the unusual shape, it won’t take long for even untrained eyes to tell it’s a Benz. Every current Merc styling cue is present – the oversized grille with the huge three-pointed star in the centre, the clamshell bonnet and the bumper with its integrated LED lamps all point to Stuttgart.

auto&tech©2012

Fact File

What it costs

Ex-showroom (Delhi)

Rs 21.49 - 24.87 lakhs

Engine

Fuel	Petrol
Installation	Front, transverse
Type	4 cyls in-line, 1595cc
Bore/stroke	83/73.7mm
Compression ratio	10.3:1
Valve gear	4 valves per cyl, DOHC
Power	121bhp @ 5000rpm
Torque	20.39kgm @ 1250-4000
Power to weight	84.91bhp per tonne
Torque to weight	14.3kgm per tonne

Transmission

Type	Automatic
Gearbox	Seven-spee

Dimensions

Length	4359mm
Width	1786mm
Height	1557mm
Wheel base	2699mm
Boot volume	486 - 1545 litres

Chassis & Body

Construction	Five-door, monocoque, hatchback
Weight	1425kg
Tyres	205/55 R16, 225/45 R17
Spare	Space saver

Suspension

Front	Independent, MacPherson struts. wishbone
Rear	Independent, multi-link, wishbone

Steering

Type	Rack and Pinion
Type of power assist	Electric
Turning circle	11.0m

Brakes

Front	Ventilated Discs
Rear	Solid Discs
Anti-lock	Yes

Economy

City	9.5kpl
Highway	14.2kpl
Tank size	50 litres

Range at a glance - Engines

Petrol

1.6-litre petrol, 121bhp

	auto&tech©2012