All-New Mercedes B-Class Lands In Paris With Fresh Looks And Tech

Mercedes-Benz’s compact vehicle family has just gotten bigger, with the introduction of the all-new B-Class.

Unveiled at the 2018 Paris Auto Show, the German firm’s rival to the likes of the BMW 2-Series Active/Gran Tourer carries Mercedes’ latest design language and looks more mature than the car it replaces. Said to have been designed to “stand out visually from the world of minivans”, it has shorter overhangs, a lowered roofline, more muscular body and, of course, redesigned front and rear ends.

These features are joined by the optional LED headlights with LED DRLs, a large roof spoiler and wheel choices that span between 16 and 19 inches.

Thanks to the new design, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class has best-in-class airflow, claims the automaker, with aerodynamics engineers said to have reduce wind noise too, thanks to some extensive detail work.

Once inside, drivers will sit 90 mm (3.5 in) higher than in the latest A-Class. This results in good all-round visibility, enhanced by the optimized cross-sections of the roof pillars, which obscure less of the surroundings.

The dashboard panel is almost identical to the one found in the compact hatchback and sedan, with the dual-screen layout, five round air vents and ambient lighting.

Front elbow width, rear headroom and legroom have been increased thanks to the car’s slightly larger footprint and 30 mm (1.18 in) longer wheelbase. Boot space has also gone up a bit, varying between 455 and 705 liters (16.07-24.9 cu-ft) with the rear seats up, and 1,540 liters (54.4 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded down. The multicontour seats with massage, heating and ventilation functions are on the options list, alongside other equipment that will be detailed later this year for every trim level.

Some of the functions of the S-Class flagship have been brought to the B-Class too, with Mercedes claiming the minivan can drive semi-autonomously in certain situations.

Powering it the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a new/updated range of engines, all of which comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP limits. The 1.5-liter dCi is still here, making 115 PS (114 hp / 85 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque, joined by a 2.0-liter diesel with two outputs: 150 PS (147 hp / 110 kW) and PS (188 190 hp / 140 kW).

Two four-cylinder petrol engines are also available, both of them with 1.33 liters in displacement, making 136 PS (134 hp / 100 kW) and 163 PS (161 hp / 120 kW), respectively. The larger diesel can be had with a new dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, and Mercedes-Benz says other engines will follow, as well as a 4Matic all-wheel drive system variant.

Sales of the new B-Class will start on December 3, with the first customer deliveries due two months later.