Test drive Mercedes Benz B-class W246 since 2012 Hatchback
Plan c
BMW has a unit, Audi has a three. In a small middle class, Mercedes-Benz could also have a car for fast and impatient. Perhaps the plans to create a pocket missile and have a sight of the company's management. But Stuttgarts went their own way. 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
Mercedes B-class has much in common with an even more compact relative A-class. The difference between them is minimal: cars are built on the same platform, use some common engines and transmission, have the same pendants and steering mechanisms. However, the B-class is 43 cm longer than the A-class and is characterized by a huge (even by the standards of the middle class) with a wheelbase of 2,778 mm! 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 compared to what a B-class with decomposed seats is capable of. For a fee, any B-class can be equipped
the possibility of complete removal (!) of the rear and front passenger seats. Having dismantled these seats, you can get an incredible 2,245 liter luggage volume for this class! 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.
The B-class, in turn, went along the path of a-class landing here is practically high and vertical, although it is still convenient. In addition, thanks to high landing and low window sills, an excellent review is achieved. And the B-class adopted from the younger, and, magnificent seats. They are simple in appearance, covered with discreet fabric, but the chairs simply amazing lateral support! People of different complexions will equally perfectly appreciate the strong roller supporting on the side, more reliable than the seat belts fixing the driver in the chair. Maybe the B-class is not alien to racing enthusiasm? 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
leisurely. Paired with the Mercedes B170 engine, an optional transmission works: Autotronic variator is very similar to the automatic machine. The box has seven virtual transmissions, which change as on a real machine, with slightly noticeable delays in the speed set. In addition, unlike other variators, the B-class box reaches maximum engine speed not immediately, but gradually increasing them from medium to the top. Perhaps this is the most successful variator today. 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
Competitors in the class cannot provide everything that is rich in Mercedes-Benz B-class. But you will not find such a high price that is asked for the basic B150 in the price of rivals. The prices for B-class begin a little less than 900,000 rubles. 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]
