Test drive Mercedes Benz B-class since 2008 Minivan
Plan c

Another hot hatchback is trite. This is always a compromise between accessibility, drive and compact dimensions. For those who do not have enough money at the same time for a real sports car and a compact car for the city. Mercedes is not the brand that would offer customers everything in one; Want to drive, take CL, SL, or something from AMG at once. B-class is just a city compact from Mercedes. With all conviniences. And a little more

A single-combined layout, shape and location of the engine provided a spacious interior: in terms of the distance between the front and rear seats, the B-class can surpass many cars of the business class! The trunk is also at the level of a roomy middle class 544 liter sedan! But this is a penny in comparison with what a B-class with decomposed seats is capable of. For a fee, any B-class can be equipped

The interior design is typically German, if you fix the black-red yellow flag above the order, simplicity and marginal functionality inside the car. Gray plastic, the front panel soft on top, understandable and informative remote controls of the radio and air conditioning, extremely well readable devices and a black-orange screen of the on-board computer in Russian. The B-class salon is quite simple in order not to distract the attention of the driver. He has more important things to do.

Characteristics of the chassis B170 a cut higher than its powerful qualities. The smoothness of the course, despite the large wheelbase, does not shine, but it pleases with excellent contact with the road with the road, excellent smoothing uneven suspension, accurate and understandable control. But the speakers of a 1.7-liter motor is enough only

It would be more likely the engine: even the switch of operating modes of the variator of the comfort sport will not turn into an athlete. He can only make a comfortable ride even more comfortable

But the base car is really well equipped. What are the safety systems alone: \u200b\u200bactive head restraints, front and side airbags for the driver and the front passenger (side pillows in the backs of the seats with additional head protection are also included), ABS, ASR antipropatting system, BAS emergency braking system and ESP stabilization system.
B170 is an experiment. As a new car, he did not demand much investment in his own development, even if he did not bring Mercedes-Benz a special profit. But 9 out of 10 experiments, as a rule, end in failure. This will not relate to the B-class if the Mercedes take into account the shortcomings and pluses and correct their plan B. The result of work on the mistakes we will see on June 21, 2008: when European sales of the updated B-class start.
Text: Alexander Korobchenko
Photo: Roman Ostanin


Source: Wheel magazine [April 2008]