When Mercerdes-Benz decided that it was time for an onslaught on the Indian market, they decided to kick start it with the B-Class. However, having launched only the petrol version of the car, it wasn't the one that the consumers were attracted to. It didn't have too many options and yes, the biggest of them all was that it didn't come in a diesel.
But all that has changed and the diesel version is here. The B-Class does look like a shrunk R-Class and has those curves which sway along the side of the car. The eyebrow LED daytime running lights, the projector bi-xenon headlamps, the LED's in the bumper slots are all carried over from the petrol variant.
What differentiates the B 180 diesel from the petrol Sport variant on the exterior is the 3-slat grille instead of the 2-slat one, 16-inch alloy wheels with multi-spoke design and the absence of a panoramic sunroof.
The B-Class in fact is nearly 4.3 metres long and carries the same Nike swoosh design language as the A-Class. It is not exuberant as the A-Class, but it does what it has been set out to do, provide luxury.
Under the hood the Mercedes B-Class diesel gets a 2143cc turbocharged diesel engine. There is 107bhp of power between 2200-4400rpm and 250Nm of torque available from a low 1400-2200rpm. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Mercedes has retained the paddle shifters and has also made available the Economy, Sport or Manual modes for the drivers comfort.
Inside we see a 14.7 cm TFT screen for the COMAND interface through which you can control the Audio, Phone book and can check out instant fuel consumption. Mercedes has ditched the Navigation, Parktronic and Auto-climate control options. Mercedes should have at-least kept the parktronic sensors on the car as it is not easy to look out of the rear window in such a long vehicle. Mercedes has retained all the safety features on the car though; 7 airbags, ABS, ESP, brake hold, brake assist, hill start assist are all standard.
The suspension works unobtrusively. High speed straight line stability is typical of Mercedes cars. On high speed corners though there is a bit of body roll, but nothing that will scare anybody. The undulations of the road however are unforgiving to the underbelly so do be careful when you drive this thing.
At Rs 22.60 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the B-Class Diesel is a good car but you can spend a little less and go for its cousin the A-Class.
