2013 Mercedes B-Class

2013 Mercedes B-Class

2013 Mercedes B-Class

2013 Mercedes B-Class

B-Class has been a solid seller for Mercedes-Benz. Its design followed the time-honoured two-box theme — one box for the engine, the other for everything else. The 2013 version sticks to the basics, but it does so with much more dynamism. The face is jewelled, there are distinctive character lines through the side profile and the tail is neatly bustled. It’s a good-looking rig that also comes with more than its fair share of utility.

The front box houses all-new powertrains. As it stands in Europe, all B-Class gasoline-powered models will come with the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. It uses the latest direct injection and variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust cams along with an intercooled turbocharger. What’s up in the air at this point is what will arrive in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2012 (yes, a year from now!) — both power and engine size-wise.

In Europe, the B 180 tested pushed 122 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque (insufficient for Canada), while the B 200 benefited from 156 hp and 184 lb-ft (good enough for a zero-to-100-kilometres-an-hour run of 8.4 seconds). The latter is achieved by bumping the turbo’s boost pressure from 11.7 to 14.7 psi. Acceptable, but it’s well below the current B 200 Turbo’s 193 hp. As such, Canada will get a different engine, albeit from the same family. At this point, the engine is a state secret. However, the North American engine will use the same block but with a longer stroke. This means a 1.8L derivative. Regardless, the new B-Class engines will develop more power than the outgoing models.

B-Class is still almost a year away from hitting Canadian roads and what actually turns up is far from known, it is destined to hit the road running. It has a much keener style and significantly more substance. Power, sadly, remains a mystery, but the European models provided an enjoyable drive capable of delivering uncompromised utility.