Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Mercedes-Benz has continued its A-Class and B-Class expansion, revealing plug-in '250e' hybrid variants of its small cars – and the A250e is heading for Australia next year. By combining the 1.33-litre turbo petrol engine from the A180 and B180 with an electric motor making 75kW, Mercedes-Benz has managed to extract a total of 160kW and 450Nm from the 250e powertrain. Top speed is 140km/h in EV mode or 235km/h with both power sources engaged.

Mercedes-Benz has recalled the 2018 B-Class and CLA over concerns about an issue with the automatic occupant detection system in the front passenger seat. If a child seat is installed facing backwards in the passenger seat, it's possible the airbag might not automatically turn off. If an affected vehicle is involved in a crash, and the driver has a child restraint in the front passenger seat, there's a risk the airbag will fire and put the child in danger of injury.

The new-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been revealed at the 2018 Paris motor show, headlined by sharper looks, more space, and the company's latest in infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. Scheduled to hit European showrooms next February (and Australia in mid-2019), the new B-Class gets a sleeker and sportier look than its predecessor, while also sporting a luggage area holding between 455 and 705 litres with the second row upright, depending on configuration.

Mercedes-Benz has recalled almost 22,000 cars across the A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, E-Class, GLA and GLC model lines, over concerns the driver airbag could inflate without warning. According to the company, electrostatic discharge could trigger the airbag if the steering column isn't sufficiently, or if the column switch module isn't grounded. Unexpected airbag deployment, obviously, poses a risk of injury to the driver, and could cause an accident.

Mercedes-Benz has revealed that the alliance it has with Renault-Nissan to produce a range of models is strong, but company chief Dr Dieter Zetsche confirmed there are joint projects that may be dropped if they don’t make sense – including a second-generation range of small cars.