Mercedes-Benz Unveils New B-Class

Its one of the most successful models for Mercedes-Benz in recent times, selling over 350,000 units since its second generation launched in 2011. That is the B-Class that has been seen as not just a big hatch, but also the creator of what's now called the Sports Tourer segment in Europe. In India too Mercedes-Benz brought in the B-Class in 2012, at a time when no one imagined it would succeed in our market. But the reverse has been true, and so the anticipation would be there for the facelifted B-Class to arrive in India.

The updates on the car have been revealed here in Paris. At the outset let me tell you the exterior changes are subtle, so it's not a revolutionary facelift. The big changes are the front and rear bumper, which have been resculpted to appear sportier and less heavy. The daytime running lights have moved from being an LED strip in the bumper, up into the headlamp cluster, like the rest if the range. And this does look much nicer, with a more defined Mercedes-Benz signature now setting in.

The interiors have undergone bigger changes. The focus was to make to car seem younger - and more appealing to younger customers too! So again sporty has dominated - complete with a flat-bottomed steering wheel that is now standard. You also get the option of an AMG trim - previously not on offer with the B-Class. With it you have metal inserts, carbon fibre finish dash, and red stitching on the seats and steering. You also now get 12 ambient lighting themes in the car - again a first for the B.

Mercedes-Benz understands that the competition is hotting up with the BMW 2 Series Tourer, i3 and Audi A3 Sportback like cars, and so has also introduced electric and natural gas options for the B-Class for Europe. Also available now - 4MATIC or all wheel drive versions. The rest of the engine lineup remains unchanged. The facelifted B-Class will be in India in the first quarter of 2015.