Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246) — BrandWiki

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246)

Overview

Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W246)

production	November 2011 – December 2018
model years	2012–2018
manufacturer	Daimler AG
platform	Mercedes-Benz MFA
body style	5-door hatchback
class	Subcompact executive car (C)
related	A-Class (W176) GLA-Class (X156) CLA-Class (C117)
engine	1.6L petrol I4 2.0L petrol I4 1.5L CDi diesel I4 1.8L CDi diesel I4 2.1L CDi diesel I4
motor	Synchronous Electric Motor‡R1R‡
transmission	6-speed manual 7-speed dual-clutch 1-speed automatic with fixed ratio
layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive (4matic)
wheelbase	2699 mm
length	171.6 - 172.9 in
width	70.3 in
height	61.3 in
assembly	Germany: Rastatt Hungary: Kecskemét
predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W245
successor	Mercedes-Benz W247
weight	1435 - 1650 kg

W246 is the internal designation for the second generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class, which is a range of 5-door hatchbacks produced by German luxury manufacturer Daimler AG under the Mercedes-Benz brand from late 2011 to late 2018. Introduced at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany as a subcompact executive car,[2] model years for the W246 started at 2012 and ranged to 2018. European models went on sale in November 2011. Japanese and Australian models went on sale in April 2012, and Canadian models in late 2012 as the 2013 model year.[3] They were assembled at Rastatt, Germany,[4] and from 2011 at Kecskemét, Hungary.[5] By summer 2013, over 230,000 second generation B-Class cars had been delivered.[6]

Design

Exterior

The exterior design incorporates the design of a tall-roof hatchback and a compact minivan. Compared to its predecessor, the W246 is 90 mm longer, 8 mm wider, and is 46 mm lower, while its wheel base has shortened by 80 mm. The W246 is also one of the first to use Mercedes’ new design cue, which was introduced in later models such as the W222 S-Class, X156 GLA, and the W205 C-Class. The B-Class retains its basic body style, however gains a more upright pose, and is significantly less curvier, especially at the rear. The basic head and tail lamps are still on the B-Class, however, the B-Class W246 is available with LEDs, and the daytime running lights and indicators gain a switchback effect. The W246 has a drag coefficient figure of 0.26 Cd, down from of the 0.31 figure of the previous model.[15][16] The W246 features a larger grille, as well its centre of gravity being lowered by 20 mm. The W246's lights were also inspired by those of the C218 CLS.

Features

Safety features include seven to nine airbags, hill-start assist, driver drowsiness detection, tyre pressure monitoring, Pre-Safe system that will tighten seatbelts, and a system that will automatically close the windows and the sunroof if the systems detect an approaching accident. Other safety systems include anti-lock braking (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and brake assistant (BA).

Like the W176 A-Class which the B-Class shares its platform with, the W246 has MacPherson strut front suspension, while featuring a four-link setup at the rear.[17] The BlueEFFICIENCY is featured on the Mk2 B-Class, which is a series of measures which reduce fuel consumption and emissions.[18] These features include: start/stop function which switches off the engine temporarily when the vehicle is stationary, alternator management for regenerative braking, and optimised tyres for rolling resistance which have low energy requirements while driving and also help to reduce fuel consumption. The B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model was available from September 2011.[19]

Trim levels

Europe

In Europe, three trim levels were available on the pre-facelift. The entry-level SE offered 16-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lamps, comfort suspension, cruise control, CD multimedia system, a reversing camera, 7-inch infotainment screen, USB ports with smartphone integration, air conditioning, adjustable boot floor, and man-made leather upholstery. The Sport trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, twin sport exhaust pipes, interior lighting package, automatic windscreen wipers, and a larger infotainment with the addition of two-way climate control. The AMG Line model features AMG-style front, side and rear aprons, 18-inch AMG-type alloy wheels with five double spokes, radiator grille, a dual exhaust system with trapezoidal stainless steel tailpipe trims, lowered suspension, perforated brake discs, artificial leather with contrasting red stitching, a multi-function steering wheel which is covered in leather and has red contrasting topstitching, a revised instrument cluster, and a sports pedal system and red contrasting topstitching and silver chrome.[20][21] In July 2012, for the 2013 model year, Mercedes had added illuminated door sills and an auxiliary heater which had included a remote control as optional.

Available packages consisted of Executive, Premium and Premium Plus. The Executive pack features parking assist, heated seats and automatically dimming and folding mirrors. The Premium pack features LED headlights and satellite navigation. Adding to the Executive and Premium packages, the Premium Plus features a larger tablet display, a panoramic glass sunroof and dual-zone climate control.[20] In Germany, available packages are the "Chrom-Paket" (Chrome Package), "Night-Paket" (Night Package), "Sport-Paket" (Sport Package), "Exklusiv-Paket" (Exclusive Package), "Licht- und Sicht-Paket" (Light and Sight Package), and the "Sondermodell Edition 1" (Special Edition 1).[22]

A natural gas variant of the B 200 was available. It includes a choice of manual or 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission, and was available from early 2013.[23] European model was set to go on sale in February 2014.[24]

Canada

In Canada, for the pre-facelift model, there was only one trim level (B250 Sports Tourer) offered in FWD. But in 2015, a second trim level was added for the facelift (B250 Sports Tourer and B250 4Matic AWD). Both trim levels feature standard heated seats, an auto start/stop, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, and a 2.0-litre turbo-cylinder making up to 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The trim differences between the two are subtle but lie in the B250 Sports Tourer FWD acceleration of 0–100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, while the 4Matic AWD has better traction control thanks to its all-wheel-drive suspension and a slightly quicker acceleration time of 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.[25]

The B250 offers a wide selection of packages to choose from:

The Versatility package adds a powered front driver's seat with powered lumbar support, with the addition of auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors, power-folding mirror controls, a universal garage door opener, and a storage system dubbed Easy Vario Plus that adds a flat-folding front passenger seat, fore and aft sliding rear seats, a height-adjustable cargo floor, and enhanced iPhone connectivity via Apple CarPlay. The Premium Package adds a black fabric roof-liner and panoramic sunroof, dual-zone auto HVAC, a rearview camera, navigation, DVD player and blindspot assist. And lastly, the Sport package adds an AMG-style appearance, an AMG sporty front bumper, 18-inch AMG alloy wheels, sport brakes, lowered suspension, direct steering, AMG floor mats, black leather seats, and carbon-look trim, while additional options include partial LED headlamps, keyless proximity access, satellite radio, and parking assist.[26]

Australia

In Australia, trims are sold as models (B180, B200, B250). Models started at the B180 which featured 16-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth audio streaming, 14.7 cm TFT colour display, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, trip computer, 1/3 to 2/3 rear folding seats, and rains sensing wipers. The B200 added 17-inch alloy wheels, Artico leather seats, four-way power adjustable front seats, leather steering wheel, electrochromatic door and rear view mirrors, black ash wood trim and additional chrome highlights. The B200 is able to be distinguished by its three-louvre silver grille and chrome highlights. Finally, the B250 for Australia features 18-inch alloy wheels, lowered "Avantgarde" suspension, bi-xenon headlights with washers, and privacy glass.[17]