Monday, October 3, 2011

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class: The model range - Compact class for experts


From radar-based COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST to the Audio 20 CD multimedia unit with colour screen, Bluetooth connectivity and USB port, the B-Class offers a host of extra safety and comfort features as standard, even in its basic version.


Four equipment packages (Chrome, Sports, Exclusive and Night package) enable individualisation of the vehicle's exterior and interior. Beyond this, the customer can choose from a range of optional extras, some of which have been the reserve of higher vehicle classes to date. These include the dashboard in ARTICO man-made leather, front seats with memory function and the PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant safety system (see "Passive safety" section), for example.

Something for everyone: four equipment packages

A B-Class upgraded with the Chrome package is identifiable from the outside by virtue of three slats in brilliant silver on the radiator grille and chrome applications in the front and rear bumpers. Additional exterior features are daytime driving lights with chrome ring, the beltline trim strip in chrome, the electroplated load sill protector and the oval stainless steel tailpipe trim. Inside, the Chrome package includes the Matrix-look trim, air outlet vents with nozzle ring and cross in silver chrome, chrome rings for the rotary light switch, the central operating unit and the controller on the centre console, and a shift/selector lever with applications in silver shadow. The armrests in the doors and the centre armrest feature contrasting stitching.

The Sports package offers significantly more sportiness. Here the radiator grille features double slats in brilliant silver with chrome applications, while the front bumper incorporates a diamond-pattern air intake grille with chrome applications. Chrome also features on the rear bumper (chrome applications on the outsides), the daytime driving light (chrome ring) and the beltline trim strip. 17-inch light-alloy wheels in 5-spoke design come as standard. The front brake discs are perforated and the front callipers feature "Mercedes-Benz" lettering. The sports suspension with selective damping system and the Direct-Steer system with variable power assistance and steering ratio provide for more dynamic handling, but can be deactivated as appropriate.

Inside, the Sports package includes seats in ARTICO man-made leather / Den Helder fabric with contrasting stitching, honeycomb-pattern trim, air outlet vents with ring and cross in silver chrome, high-gloss black rotary light switch with ring in silver chrome, 3-spoke perforated leather multifunction sports steering wheel with 12 function buttons, leather shift/selector lever with applications in chrome, front and rear door sill panels in extruded stainless steel and sports pedals in stainless steel look with rubber studs.

In contrast to the Sports package, the Night package offers the following special exterior features:

- radiator grille with double slats in high-gloss black with chrome applications
- bumpers without chrome applications
- roof trim strip in high-gloss black
- beltline trim strip in high-gloss black
- heat-insulating dark-tinted glass as of B-pillar
- 18-inch light-alloy wheels in 5-twin-spoke design, painted black with high-sheen finish, with 225/40 R 18 tyres


The Exclusive package which is available in addition to the Chrome, Sports or Night package does full justice to its name, featuring a highly stylish interpretation of the compact class with contrasting stitching, dashboard and door centre panels in ARTICO man-made leather and brown silk matt burr walnut trim. The scope of equipment includes a 3-spoke leather steering wheel with 12 function buttons, comfort locking system (infrared), electric 4-way lumbar support on the front seats and heated seats.

Plenty of lateral support and a pleasant seat climate: the seats

The front seats of the B-Class feature comfortable upholstery and ergonomic contours. Attractive seat covers exude high-class appeal. Characteristic features of the standard front seats are high seat comfort with excellent lateral support due to high backrests and pronounced side bolsters, a pleasant seat climate resulting from high air permeability and high moisture absorbency, and a reduced risk of whiplash injury thanks to newly developed head restraints. The Seat Comfort package allows 6-way adjustment of the driver's and front passenger's seat.

The rear seats make a major contribution to the high variability of the B-Class. The rear seat modules offering separate fore/aft adjustment are a special highlight in conjunction with the optional EASY-VARIO-PLUS system (see Interior section).

The standard rear seat bench offers the following features:

- generous legroom for a high standard of comfort in all seats
- rear seat backrests can be folded down with a 1/3 to 2/3 split, forming an almost flat load compartment floor in lowered position
- middle head restraint is designed for minimal interference with visibility to the rear
- ISOFIX child seat anchorage points with TopTether on the outer rear seats


Other optional extras

The B-Class is optionally available with bi-xenon lights instead of halogen lights. The latter are furthermore optionally combinable with the Intelligent Light System (ILS). ILS, which is familiar from other Mercedes model lines, comprises bi-xenon headlamps with variable light distribution and dynamic headlamp range for country roads, motorways and dense fog, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, active light function, LED daytime driving lights and headlamp cleaning system.

A swing-away trailer coupling is available for the B-Class for the first time. The control unit for the swivel system is readily accessible on the left of the luggage compartment. After mechanically releasing the trailer coupling on the control unit, ball neck and socket can be swivelled into towing or rest position. In rest position, they are both accommodated out of sight behind the bumper.

The range of optional extras further includes front seats with memory function, automatically dimming rear-view and exterior mirrors, and electrically operated panoramic glass sunroof with tilting/sliding function and a stowage facility package. The latter comprises a spectacles compartment in the overhead control panel, a stowage box under the front seats, parcel nets on driver and front passenger seat backrest, a collapsible box in the luggage compartment floor and folding tables on the front seat backrests.

A reversing camera is optionally available. This is activated automatically when reverse gear is engaged. It supports the driver during lengthways and crossways parking manoeuvres by means of static and dynamic guide lines indicating the vehicle's line of travel and clearances. Active Parking Assist offers even greater comfort here (see section "Driving assistance systems").



































Source: Daimler AG

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