Mercedes-Benz B-Class

Special editions are an age-old tradition. After all, who wants to get just a regular base model? That’s especially true in the luxury car market, so Mercedes-Benz has picked some highlights from its range of option packages and given some of its entry-level models more showroom appeal with special edition models featuring drive-away prices. The GLA180 Urban Edition, B180 Sport Edition and E200 Sport Edition sedan join the recently introduced C200 Sport Edition sedan and coupe.

Euro NCAP has released its latest round of crash results including a range of new models, including the Tesla Model 3, Skoda Scala, Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Kia Ceed, and DS 3 Crossback. The Model 3 impressed with a perfect score in the frontal offset test, and its Safety Assist performance – where it scored 94 per cent, the best yet under Euro NCAP’s most recent protocol.

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 next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been spied in Germany this week, wearing a thinner disguise for a closer look at the new MPV's proportions. Finer design details are obviously concealed by the swirly wrap, but we can see that the shape of the B-Class will be an evolution of the current model, while the key design cues will draw upon the new A-Class – with which it is closely related.

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class has been spotted during cold weather testing in northern Europe. As with the first two generations of the B-Class, the new model shares its underlying front-wheel drive platform with the A-Class, but with improved passenger comfort and load-lugging ability thanks to a taller roof line. The updated MFA platform will be used for A-Class hatch and sedan variants, as well as new versions of the CLA four-door "coupe" and wagon, and GLA crossover.