Test Drive Mercedes Benz in Class W245 2005 - 2008 Minivan

And so that no one guessed

Argued who he is really compacted, high hatchback or mysterious sport turner, you can long. But the main thing is undoubtedly a real Mercedes-Benz.


Rubbing from the youth team
And where is the most compactness? It was my first thought when I saw this labast newcomer. Won, he, in good pair of tens of centimeters towers above the Calcule standing nearby. Fear thanks to the impressive lattice of the radiator and muscular wheeled arches, and at all the adult parckarter or Ven. Stylish, solid.
 

Here and the rear lights are very smirching on those that at the M-class. And always fashionable sportiness in the appearance at least debugs: rapid, pulling up from the front arches to the feed of the subtlefield, the falling roof line, sharply inclined rear racks. And even some slightly deliberately, unnaturally stretched wheelbase plays the same creation of an image of a noble large car.
 

And yet the ability to externally resemble the impressive car in fact only fiction. Just the newcomer was walked in height per meter sixty. In the length, he is slightly shorter than many Golf Class five-dimensions. However, if an externally derived a novelty machine, then the interior was surprisingly familiar.
 



A and B sat on the pipe
Where did I see all this? The strict front panel, neatly selected by the chromium handle of the air conditioner, the tape recorder with orange bulbs of diodes inside and comfortable handles, adjustable by height of the armrest all this seems to have moved here from the A-class. Even the tidy is simple, with the quartet of pointers and the on-board computer monitor in the center, but canceled the readable flesh from the flesh of the smallest in the Mercedes family. Is that decorated with stylish inserts for metal.
 

Moreover, both technically machines twin brothers. After all, it was built in-class on a strong (21 cm) elongated platform ... correctly, class A. and built on the principle of the same sandwich with a double floor, allowing very compact position and a very spacious interior, and a transmission engine.

 
   
Retractable box in the central armrest is convenient for storing a mobile phone
    
Large format logs are accommodated in the cooled glove box
 
  
For always dirty Russian roads, the location of the fuse block and the battery under the legs of the front passenger is far from the best

Built-in turning repeats are in the database, and for painted mirrors you need to pay extra

In the upholstery of the trunk there are capacious pockets


So, really, is it a banal focus with changing clothes? No and no. As in the minivan, you can go here, without bending your head. Door openings are clearly higher than that of a smaller brother. And looking back, I completely discovered the ocean places. When I sat behind myself on the back seat, there was still a good tens of centimeters to the knees. Baby A-class new comrade in this discipline is clearly not equal. Although I throw on the leg to the leg, as in the business class.
 

But only, it seemed, I defined for myself the class essence of this wonderful car, how new questions arose. Why is the back not adjustable in the angle of inclination, how is it done from many WaN? The sofa, like them, does not move forward-back? Where are the tables in the backs? The creators themselves mysteriously refer to the class at the Sport Turner, then you mean a sports station wagon. Well, the sportiness will be checked by a little later, but the spaciousness of the trunk is really worthy of admiration.
 



Championships
Start with the fact that even with a 5-seater layout remains 544 liters for luggage. It is up to the windows line. The ceiling is already 695. Fold out one part of the back, and, even by traveling in four, you can take a couple of adult bicycles. Fasteners are especially for these purposes. Or put here at least half a dozen big suitcases. Even with three passengers, there is more cubic meters of 1005 liters.

 
    
The practicality of a huge trunk limits except the aristocratic upholstery from the marginal fabric


Now I am pulling the handle on the end of the backrest of the front passenger chair, and it obediently developed. Notice, such a mechanism does not require surcharge. For Mercedes-Benz, who takes money even for a split back in the C-class, it is rare generosity. If you finish on Izi Vario (front passenger chair and rear seats are removable), the car can be turned into a van with a bit of 2245 liters. This is not even in E-class, not to mention any of the compactners. But how nevertheless, this small ride?
 



Mercedes is Mercedes
While disassembered with an on-board computer, he spoiled green. And no one would have swept the mark, did not freeze nervously by the headlights. Any other small-caltry would be crowded. And here, it can be seen, the magic of the three-beam star works. On Moscow roads, where European courtesy occurs oh, how infrequently, such a plus costs.
 

There is another high landing. The saturated uncle driving the CR-V in the next row sits with me on the same level. As with the captain's wedding bridge, I see the situation for several cars forward. And after a couple of kilometers, I open another talent in my new familiar. Long base and comfortable suspension turn riding in calm swimming. And so attracted me the smoothness of the stroke was achieved without any complex electronics. The main highlight of the Mercedes adaptive suspension gas shock absorbers with a rigidity variable depending on road conditions. That's just the wheels, the ping-pong ball went through a frank washingboard on the asphalt, without giving it to the body, it seems that neither the slightest vibration. But barely noticeable slaps reported on the tramways on the Enthusiast highway.
 

However, there is an in-class mechanism worthy of perhaps even greater praise than traditionally Mercedesian suspension settings.
 

I did not believe my eyes: one hundred kilometers per hour, and the tachometer arrow rose only to 1800 rpm. Now in the side of the onboard computer, the number 7 The car goes on this transmission. One hundred forty, and the turns are just beginning to approach three thousand. It turns out a miracle, which works in a pair with a 2-liter engine, a new variator. Transmission relations can change very smoothly: 0.42, 0.65 and so to the lower 2.72 first. It is such a mechanism plus a standard aerodynamic set (a special shape of a brush and mirror, a streamlined front part, plates that optimize air flow under the parts of the transmission and suspension) provide a low noise level. The barely audible song of the wind, licking the rack, it seems, does not become louder on any 120 or 160. TEGING IT IT IT, I would definitely thought that I am going on a big road sedan.
 

But the most interesting thing is that this seventh transmission turned out to be a tragment other fifth in the usual mechanics. The fact is that the motor although it does not shine a high power of 136 liters. p., but it pulls almost idle. After all, the new injection system is 85 percent of the torque makes accessible from 1500 rpm.

Do you ride boring? Turn on the sport mode. The turnover will immediately become higher, and the responses to the gas pedal slightly more. And finally, we swing the lever to the left-right, you can enable the transfer manually.
 

I tried. Alas, not for a 2-liter in-class is entertainment. At high 4500 and higher turns in the cabin is already noticeably noisy, and the car goes everything is as confidently quickly, but not more than in the sports mode of the variator. Unless it is convenient to reset the speed before entering the turn, turning to the step-other below. Consider only: like most Mercedes, this liberty does not allow. An unconnected ESP basic equipment on it.

And even it is not easy. At first, the electronics allowed a little bit alone in front of the front tires, but it was worth a frankly provoking the car to the drift, and straightening the trajectory was already taken not only by the motor and rotor wheels, but also the steering wheel. ESP also works in the company with a servo amplifier. Second, and without my help the car is already aligned.
 



How do you call a yacht ...
Well, high-tech Mercedes-Benz is proud of long. In class and this tradition only continued. It is a pity, the word sport in the title it justifies except with a dynamic appearance. It is bad that, despite the external similarity with compactnes, does not induce the conveniences put on these machines. Yes, and in terms of the level of finishing, alas, alas, just a-class: saving on the electric drive of the rear windows, on insufficiently large mirrors, the adjustment of the steering column in length will have to be perceived as a given.
 

But the wagon, and even with an unusually high roof, it is notable. It is hardly the most important advantage of all Mercedes comfortable on any road did not lose. And the role of a convenient car for those fans of the brand, who at the head of the corner puts capacity is full of desire to stand out from the crowd and at the same time the three-bead star is not averse to emphasize, he will fulfill with honor.
 

Just do not edit this very wealth should be serious. B200-walled series This is a high-quality in the folk class. The amount of 30,900 euros per 2500 euros is more expensive than the A-class with the same motor. However, on the other hand, 4,000 euros is cheaper than the station wagon C180K. You can even save. No one guesses ...
    
6 different options

In addition to the B200 dealers are offering three gasoline and two diesel versions. 95 is a strong B150 23,600 Euros V170 (115 l. C.) 24 900 EUR. Each has ABS, ESP, 6 airbags, tire pressure sensor, active front head restraints. However, air conditioning, stereo system, suspension with increased ground clearance required surcharge. In special versions seriyaV170 (26 900 euros) and B200 (30 900 euros), these benefits are included. Diesel A180CDi and A200SDi worth 25,900 euros and 28,700 euros respectively.
 

In principle, the B-class sufficiently strong engine 115 (11.3 s, 183 km / h). But those who have family car capabilities are not averse to combine with a passion for sport, can opt for the 2-liter turbo engine (7.6 seconds, 225 km / h).
 
PER

The prestige of the brand, outstanding spaciousness and safety, comfortable suspension, comfortable variator
AGAINST

The high price and high cost options, small mirrors, uncomfortable by the standards kompaktven sofa
 
 
Mercedes-Benz B200

Total information
 
Body (number of seats / doors)
Estate (5/5)
 
Curb weight, kg
1345.
 
Length x width x height mm
4270h1775h1605
 
Base, mm
2780.
 
Cargo Volume, L
544-2245
 
Speed \u200b\u200bkm / h
196 (190)
 
Acceleration time 0100 km / h,
10.1 (10.2)
 
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km highway / city
6 / 9.3 (6 / 9.5)
 
Fuel tank capacity, l
54.
 

Engine
 
Displacement, SMZ
2034.
 
Power, hp / rpm
136/5750
 
Torque kgcm / rpm
18.9 / 3500
 

Chassis
 
Drive unit
front-wheel drive
 
Transmission
6-speed manual (CVT)
 
Suspension:
spring, with stabilizer bars, gas springs
 
in front
independent, MacPherson type
 
behind
dependent, with Watt's mechanism
 
Steering
rack type with amplifier
 
brakes
disc, front ventilated
 
Tires
205/55 R16
 

KAR
$ 0.34 / km
 
 
Alexey Sergeev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Buy Auto Magazine [14/2005]