Mercedes B-Class Facelift In Detail

Better shape than ever
by Frank de Leeuw van Weenen
March 14, 2008 2:25 PM
Filed Under: German, Mercedes-Benz

Better shape than ever

Mercedes is seemingly in the middle of updating the majority of their cars. Yesterday we brought you the facelifted M-Class and today Mercedes has released official details of the refreshed B-Class. The current generation B-Class has been on the roads since 2005, reaching a sales figure of 325,000 units.

The 2008 Mercedes B-Class features a newly styled hood, grille, front bumper, high-brilliance tail lights, rear bumper and an entirely new engine choice with the B 170 NGT BlueEfficiency. Engine tweaks result in a 7% fuel economy increase while emissions are well below current EU regulations.

The new natural gas powered B 170 NGT (Natural Gas Technology) BlueEfficiency is capable of running on both natural gas and premium grade petrol while still delivering 85 kW / 116 hp of power, equal to that of the petrol powered version. A fully fueled B170 NGT can cover over 1,000 km.

The Mercedes B-Class range consists of the B150 (95 hp), B180 CDI (109 hp), B200 CDI (140 hp), B170 (116 hp), B170 NGT (116 hp), B200 (136 hp) and the range topping B200 Turbo (193 hp).

Source: Daimler AG
Press Release (Click to expand)

At a glance: new features in the B-Class

Design

  • Front end: restyled bonnet, radiator grille and bumper
  • Side profile: new-look exterior mirrors and new light-alloy wheels
  • Rear: tail lights in new high-brilliance look and remodeled bumper
  • Interior: new seat fabrics and diagonally brushed aluminum trim

Equipment

  • Body-coloured exterior mirror housings, door handles and skirt panels
  • Headlamp Assist as standard
  • ESP® with automatic hill-start assist as standard
  • Steering column manually adjustable for reach

Safety

  • Flashing brake lights as standard
  • Crash-responsive emergency interior lighting as standard

Drive system

  • Advanced engines with fuel savings of up to seven percent
  • ECO start/stop function as an option for B 150 and B 170
  • New B 170 NGT BlueEFFICIENCY with bi-fuel petrol/natural-gas drive system

Technology

  • Active parking assist as an option
  • New infotainment systems including many extra functions
  • Surround sound system as an option
  • COMAND APS with standard features including voice control
  • Interactive media interface for linking up external audio devices
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Comments

Spot the difference? Realistically i only see the front bumper changed.

Reply | Report Abuse
by 122 | March 14, 2008 3:22 PM
Both the B-Class & the A-Class should be taken off production of this very ugly car, do people actually buy this car? or do they buy them because they cost low and have the mercedes logo, so to say they drive a mercedes! Production of these two cars should be stopped.. UGLY!

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by FastLane | March 14, 2008 4:16 PM
Ok, I agree, Mercedes shouldnt make these models anymore.

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by wjaprep | March 14, 2008 10:49 PM
Still haven't sorted out the awkward/dull back end

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by joelynn | March 14, 2008 5:06 PM
Dull end,,nice front face.not very difference.but i love this ugly mercedes.............

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by DESIGNERr | March 14, 2008 5:25 PM
wtf? everyone bashing the back end, which is the most "personal" part of this car.. i like it better than the a-class anyway

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by ck314 | March 14, 2008 5:38 PM
Cool little car, i like the idea of the alternator and starter motor being 1. Surprised it took so long for someone to do that.

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by radmeister | March 14, 2008 7:02 PM
better looking than the ugly bmw 1 series hatch

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by coopergt | March 14, 2008 8:22 PM
Well thats not saying much is it?

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by 122 | March 15, 2008 12:26 AM
lets also say bmw's 1-series handling is years light ahead from this crossover (minivan-compact wagon)

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by ck314 | March 15, 2008 12:52 AM
light years my bad lol

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by ck314 | March 15, 2008 12:53 AM
Let me repeat again, A-Class, B-Class & CLC-Class should all be stopped! UGLY! Mercedes-Benz do something about those cars, and dont ruin the Mercedes-Benz image!

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by FastLane | March 15, 2008 3:02 AM
CLC`s face is OK,but its tail light is boring.

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by Zaiyan | March 15, 2008 7:30 AM
I think CLC`s face is impressive but its taillight is unwelcomed

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by zaiyan | March 15, 2008 7:59 AM
ive always thought that this is the uglies mercedes but wen i herd that there was a facelift i got my hopes up but no they were crushed! and the bmw 1 series hatch is a WAY better looking car than this thing

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by BabyMilo | March 15, 2008 8:40 AM
close to 325k sold. That is impressive since most of them are sold in Europe.

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by unknown | March 15, 2008 4:00 PM
I share the opinion that the B class is probably the ugliest MB car *ever*. The design of the back is horrible. This facelift is minor and a complete let down.

In contrast, I find the A class cute, practical and an unpretentious quality town family car. This is the reason it has sold in the millions to date. As a current owner I highly recommend it - and I would never "upgrade" to the current B class.

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by abramo | March 15, 2008 8:39 PM
What about the Vaneo- surely that was uglier than the B-class?

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by joelynn | March 16, 2008 12:21 PM
Vaneo, competing very effectively in ugliness to B class, as you correctly point out, has however an excuse, being kind of a utility vehicle that has evolved from an actual van design. As such it may even be considered a success in compromise. What excuse is there, however, for B class ugliness? None. B class has a definite position in the marketplace, as it offers a much improved boot volume in comparison to A class - very desirable for travelling families. But its present aesthetic condition puts off many prospective buyers, including A class owners needing more boot space.

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by abramo | March 16, 2008 12:59 PM
Many people tend to mistake dull for ugly. I don't see how this car could be ugly, since it's just boxy and functional inspiring confidence. In tune with european (mostly germanic) soccer moms needs, and confirmed by its commercial success. I personally don't find a Golf Plus or a Toyota Corolla Verso sexier than this.

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by ck314 | March 16, 2008 5:36 PM
certainly, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". as for the "commercial success" part, I have my reservations - the Renault Scenic, a car equivalent to the B class selling at the same price range, sells over 350,000 units *per year*, dwarfing the 325,000 units in *three years* of the B class even without the benefit of the Mercedes brand.

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by abramo | March 17, 2008 4:38 PM
Sure, but despite similarities, they have different aims. The Scenic is a bestseller because 1. it's mostly used as a fist car for young/low budget families while the B-class is more a second/spouse car for average to high income families 2. Renault has a quite wider offer (two wheelbases available plus trendy suv-like versions, etc) 3. more agressive discount/leasing approach and so on. Besides, it would be unfair to compare premium vs popular brands. It's like comparing Clio vs A-Class sales.

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by ck314 | March 18, 2008 1:38 AM
abramo, my friend has a A-CLASS.i am agree with u.the design of the back in B-class really horrible.

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by DESIGNERr | March 15, 2008 9:13 PM

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