2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class revealed, coming to Australia Q2

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By Brett Davis | August 26th, 2011

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class ahead of its official 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show debut. The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class showcases a sleek new body and is described by Mercedes as a compact sports tourer.

As we have reported earlier, the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class’s quality and refinement has been taken up a step, with plenty of new technologies added to the model as well as a spruced up luxurious yet sporty interior. Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for group research and head of development for Mercedes-Benz Cars, recently said,

“No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop. Future B-Class customers will benefit from this quantum leap in terms of exemplary low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions combined with driving pleasure, plenty of space and the highest standard of safety that has ever been available in this class.”

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will initially be available with two petrol engines and two diesel engines. The petrol versions will consist of a B 180 variant which uses a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit producing 90kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Next up will be a B 200 variant using a similar 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 115kW and 250Nm.

Making up the diesel models will be a B 180 CDI using a 1.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 80kW of power and 250Nm of torque, while a B 200 CDI will feature an uprated version of the engine, producing 100kW and 300Nm. Variants will be available with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As for the unveiled exterior design, the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class takes on the latest Mercedes-Benz design language, showcasing a more open two-tier front grille and horizontal LED spotlight layout. The side of the new B-Class also gets a new panel kink that rises from the rear of the front door to meet up with the top of the taillights.

Meanwhile at the rear, the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class offers a well-rounded look with new taillights, chrome trimmings and a sporty rear bumper bar incorporating a neat little diffuser. From the rear we can also see the roofline drops down to the tailgate, giving the B-Class a sleeker side profile and a more sporty look.

As for technologies and safety equipment, the 2012 B-Class will get a range of features, some of which will be a first for the class, including Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Prevention Assist, speed limit sign recognition, Active Parking Assist, Brake Assist, Pre-Safe, and a reversing camera.

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will go on sale in Australia in the second quarter of next year, after it hits European showrooms in November. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with all of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show coverage in the meantime.

Sonic

Wow! That is an incredibly nice looking interior.

Thrillhouse

But the exterior…. Wow. Shockingly bland. What would possibly convince you that the B-Class is the car for you?

YoLex

Dual-clutch is good. But looks fugly!!
Sam 300TD

If I said it looked great, I would be lying. Could be one of those that looks good in real life though. Perhaps it will grow on me overtime and end up on my second hand car shopping list in about 10 years time.
Grammar Nazi

“compact sports tourer”

It looks about as sporty as a Mitsubishi Nimbus circa 1990.
http://Caradvice Onepoppa

What could convince anyone that it is the car for them? Using one! Passengers love the ease of getting in and out – the room inside (and this is a car only a few centimetres longer than a Golf) is a revalation – and regularly getting 5.2 Km/100K, well over 700Km a tank, is pretty easy to like.

Yes, I own one of the current model, a B-180 CDI, and No, it isn’t the same sort of car as I had before – Alfa, Audi and Volvo 2.5T – but it is a car for the 21st century.

Ox

I couldnt agree more. I know it’s not to everyone’s tastes but the
B-class has really grown on me over the years and the new one looks even better, love the interior. It’s one of those cars that you really need to drive/take a ride in to fully undertand & appreciate it.
Phil

Onepoppa, looking at the specs and the price is enough to convince anyone that a B class is not the car for them.

No economy figures for the new one, but your B180CDI has terrible specs. Just 80KW\250NM and it guzzles 5.8L\100km ADR.
The Hyundai i30D Wagon which is actually a slightly larger car, burns 4.8L\100km and has more power – 85KW\255NM. Sure it handles like crap, but so does the current B class according to every review I’ve seen. And the Hyundai is less than 1/2 the price!
Look for another similar sized car but the same price: The BMW 123D which like the B class is about the be superseded, has 150KW/340NM whilst beating the 80KW B class for fuel economy with 5.2L\100km.

The petrol B classes were even worse for power/economy and you had to put 98 fuel in them!

Judging by the power of the this new one – just 90KW from a Turbocharged 1.6? Come one, the $16,990 Hyundai Accent does 91KW from a 1.6 WITHOUT a turbo and WITHOUT the need for premium fuel.

The B class has s*** engine specs. Looks like this new generation is going to carry on the tradition.

Alex

I think it looks ill proportioned standing still.. But great on the move. Would be a great car to own.

Phil

Great on the move? As long as you don’t like moving very fast.
Turbocharged 90KW 1.6……..less power (but a lot more weight) than a $16,990 Hyundai Accent!

MB

I think whomever approved the interior shots for publication should be shot for not making sure the A-Pillar trim fitted correctly. And, yes, I realize it’s a pre-production model.
Monk

Wow – you get 4 engines when you buy one!

“The 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will initially be available with two petrol engines and two diesel engines. “

Phil

An upgrade from the twin engined AMG A class?

http://Porsche MB

I have a B200 CVT with luxury & metro pack (leather, panoramic roof, parking sensors)it is my daily driver and it is one of the most practical cars I have ever owned up against the Golfs I’ve had over the years.

I can fit 2 bikes in the back with the seats down and I dont have to take the front wheels off. I get on average 650km out of the 55litre tank. The visability is great in city driving and the car is very comfortable on long runs.

The only draw back is it will not win any traffic light grand prix but the abovementioned plus safety is the real winner.

These are aimed at older people for ease of getting in and out….the new A class should fit the sporty 1 series type
MattP

The style police are out in force today judging by many comments.

People who enjoy practical, economical reliable cars which are brilliant to actually use and live with for many years will buy this car in droves.

It is not aimed at the bogan market who will consider this car purely on its external appearance (which is stylish compared to a HSV!)
http://caradvice Onepoppa

Yes, we love the practicalty of our B – Class Mercs – iand that includes my son whose daily drive is an Audi S 4 manual!
mmmmmm

if it can get private school soccer moms out of hulking 4wds the roads will be a safer place, they may even be able to use just one lane at a time
Jim

Not mentioned here but in the German media: there is an option which allows one to move the back seats by 14cm. Depending on the position of the back seats, the boot space varies between 488 and (!) 666 liter. Excellent, this is what I expect from a modern car. Well done MB. This really could become an alternative to a SUV for many buyers.

Phil

True, though I’ve seen that in a few other cars. I think the Toyota Echo hatch is one.

au_tigress

I recently purchased B180 and absolutely adore it. Before I had bmw320. It lacks same power as my old bmw 6 cylinder engine. but except for that it wins in many other ways: in comfort, space, sitting position overview, it’s more economical, soft in ride and quiet. And on the picture it looks odd but once next to it it’s completely different. It’s big, wide, and high. Compared to A1, Golf and bmw1series it’s much better value for money. Agree it’s a car from future.