12:40 PM
Jessy
It only takes a short while exhausted in the
new B-class to realise that, more than a Compact Sports Tourer, it is a gravely
spacious hatchback with all the quality and appeal of a full-size
Mercedes-Benz. With the launch intended for the second half of August, the
B-class will, for all intents and purposes, be in a class of its own. It will
slot in below the C-class and above the A-class with which it shares its basic planning,
so expect it to be priced at around Rs 24-26 lakh.
Before you read on, you must know that the
B-class you see here is very diverse from the car that will be launched in
India. This car is left-hand drive, has a six-speed manual gearbox and comes
with a sporty body kit that adds those beautiful but impractical 18-inch rims
and run-flat tyres. The car is here as part of Merc’s pre-launch endorsement of
the B-class and while our drive was short, it allowed a reasonably good insight
into what to expect from the Indian-spec car.
The first thing that grabs you is the design –
there are a number of styling accompaniments intended to create visual width –
the large grille, well-defined nose, low bonnet and high roofline do give it
some individuality, but it’s the upswept flank crease that really catches your
eye.
The B-class is larger than it looks in pictures.
As you can see, it is significantly taller than a C-class and the wheelbase is obviously
long. This is the first transverse-engined, front-wheel-drive Merc on auction
in India. Look under the cap and you’ll see the engine sits ahead of the front axle
line, thereby therapeutic vital space for the cabin.
The driving place is upright and something of
a middle ground between tailgate and MPV norms. But it’s easy enough to get contented
and, though this car didn’t have them, we’re pretty sure Merc will offer motorized
seats on Indian versions.
Space inside the car is generous – there’s
ample room for heads and knees wherever you’re sitting, and rear legroom is mainly
good. However, the seat base is a bit too short and thigh support is not great.
The boot is helpfully big though.
Other highlights lie with the sheer excellence
of the interiors. The nice, sporty three-spoke wheel, the triple AC vents in
the centre and the sheer quality of leather and plastics tell you that you’re
in no normal hatchback. It’s a practical cabin too, with a large glove box and
plenty of storage spaces dotted around.
