Mercedes B-Class Now Sold In Canada
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 10. 3.05
Small cars go upscale: The rich person's small car has arrived in Canada. We've covered extensively the increasing popularity and availability of small cars in North-America (here and here), so it was no surprise to learn that Mercedes is bringing the relatively small B-Class lineup to Canada, and if history is any indication, it should appear in the US in the next few years. We're not quite sure how to rate the B-Class, though. Should we applaud Mercedes for taking a step in the right direction by downsizing (a move that could attract luxury car fans to smaller vehicles), or is it an "almost" car because the fuel economy isn't quite as good as it could be?
Lets have a look at some of the car's specifications:
Engine:
-B 200 model: 2 liters, 134 hp/136lb-ft torque
-B 200 Turbo model: 2 liters, 193 hp/206lb-ft torqueTransmission:
-5 or 6 speed manual
-Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automaticCurb weight: 1,295 kg/2 854 lbs
Fuel Economy:
-City 9.2 l/100km / 25.5 mpg
-Highway Manual: 6.7 litres, Automatic 7.2 l/100 / Manual 35, Automatic 32.6 mpgBase Price:
-B 200: CAN$30,950/US$~26,500
-B 200 Turbo:CAN$34,950/US$~30,000
From a green perspective, we think that the engine is the weak link that keeps this car from being really what it should have been. It seems fairly unsophisticated (2 valves per cylinder, no mention of variable valve timing or direct injection, etc) and without a turbo its power/displacement ratio is not very impressive. There's also no mention of the emission rating, so we assume it's LEV (usually automakers are proud enough to put it on the webpage when they achieve ULEV). The 8 airbags are nice, and kudos to Mercedes for the CVT (they are more efficient than regular automatic transmissions). It's a bit sad that Toyota didn't bring its CVT to North-America in the Yaris...
Some constructive suggestions for Mercedes: The obvious way to make things better is of course to use a more high-tech engine and to downsize it. The best results could probably be achieved by making the turbo standard on a small displacement engine so that a 1.4 or 1.5 liters engine can produce around 140 hp (which is a good power to weight ratio for such a small car and enough to appeal to the luxury crowd) yet have a fuel economy rating of at least 10 to 15 miles per gallon more than what it has now - Mercedes could have its cake and eat it too!
To wrap this up on a less technical note, we'll just point out that the B-Class seems like a nice car that could have been better. It will be successful from our treehugging point of view if it helps luxury car buyers get out of their big overpowered sedans and SUVs and into a smaller car that has the luxury they are looking for. On its own, the B-Class is an "almost" car; many other small cars are worth looking at first.
We can still hope that in a couple of years, when low-sulfur diesel is widely available in North-America, Mercedes will sell a version of the B-Class with a diesel engine (to be used with biodiesel, of course!).
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Looks like my Vibe, which has had Toyota's nice VVTL engine (180hp, 1.8L displacement) for years. Nice try Mercedes, but it seems like you don't really want people to buy this car...
The Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix (basically the same car) has very little (if none) appeal to the luxury market, though, and some of the equipment available in the B-Class isn't available in it.
Not to say that the Vibe/Matrix isn't a nice car/tall wagon and not a better value for your money than the B-Class...
Only 25 mpg city? That's definitely an almost.
It's most unlikely they will downsize the B-class when they already make the smaller A-class. Whether they will start selling the A-class in North America is a different question.
There are a few fuel cell powered As: http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage808.html
I can't believe they haven't opted to offer the A Class yet. It could change the perception of small cars just being 'econoboxes'.
A Class doesn't boast the best economy among small cars, but very stylish, and more practical than some. Look how many people are buying Scion xB's and Honda Elements - not the most attractive vehicles, yet very practical.
There must be some cost or marketing related reason they've not brought it over.
The B-class replaces the A-class, which MB discontinued. The B is a bit larger than the A, but much shorter than the Matirx/Vibe.
Yes, it is heavier than many compacts, and therefore less fuel efficient, but ask yourself, if you got into a head-on collision with a Suburban, would you rather be in a B-class MB with fair mileage or a Prius with great mileage.
"Yes, it is heavier than many compacts, and therefore less fuel efficient, but ask yourself, if you got into a head-on collision with a Suburban, would you rather be in a B-class MB with fair mileage or a Prius with great mileage."
Actually, I think I'd rather be in the Prius. It has got 5 stars crash ratings, can be had with side aribags and probably has more crumple zones than the B-Class.
From the readers comment on changing the perception of small cars just being 'econoboxes'. From other articles I have read in automotive news publications the industry is going to try just that. The Detroit 3 have the hardest 'row to hoe' as for years they have treated small cars as loss leaders with cheap interiors etc. The corner they have painted themselves into is that if they build a better small car it will cost more however they have programmed people to only pay so much for their small cars. It's a shame and it's part of the reason that people in the US don't buy small fuel efficent cars. They want features up till now that ment a larger car.
I hadn't heard they were discontinuing the A Class. If so, I'm very bummed. They just redesigned it for '04, right?
And what about Audi's similar-sized A1?
http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/audi.php
Nice article, however if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that the engine comes standard with Variable Valve Timing and an LEV II rating. You can find these specs out when you use the Compare feature on the Mercedes Canada Website.
Thanks for mentioning it, Bernard. It is weird that they didn't mention the VVT in the specification page as it is the norm.
As for the LEV II rating, it is as I expected -- not ULEV II.
On fuel mileage. It would be nice if you would have stated what motor belogs to those stats.
I assume it's the 2.0L.
Too bad you didn't list the MB 2.0L crd fuel mileage stats.
Thanks for listing Canadian and US currency.
I thought/imagined the 2.0L was going to be under $20,000. I thought it was suppose to be affordable cheep transportation. It's instead similar in price as a charger.
So I think the car is over priced by $10,000 - $6000.00
But adding a diesel isn't too bad. Just $3500 more. Just about the same price dealerships add to the price of the vehical.
So if a diesel sells for US $30,000 a dealership will try to sell it for $34-36,000.
PT cruiser sure looks more affordable. Sure wish we could get the PT cruiser MB 2.2Lcrd in north american market. I bet the PT cruiser diesel can still be bought under $26,000.
just btw: the A-Class is OF COURSE being continued.
and since the all new A-Class came out in september 2004, they sold it over 200.000 times already worldwide.
well it looks like a good competition for the audi a3. people looking for a cheap alternative luxury ride might consider these cars. but why? the "real-world" buyers would go for the matrix/vibe and maybe even the scion xa. those with a little more money might forgo this b-class and go straight to the c-class and the a4. don't bring it to the states. i would rather see the a-class or even the smart fortwo! now that's a niche (bimmer did well with the mini).
I'm British and have just bought a B180 diesel. Don't they sell the diesel models in Canada/US? Very economical. City 39.2mpg; over 50 mpg in typical part-urban, part-motorway use.
I saw this car in Naples, Florida yesterday with Ottawa plates. I drove the A-class with the small diesel engine in Paris for two years and thought it was a great little car. Stable on the road, efficient, well-engineered.
I wish I could import the B-class from Canada, but I suspect the import restrictions would bloat the cost of the car to something unimaginable.
hello,seller
really, am interest in the car but am not in usa
for now am in london i
travel dues to the nature of my job.have company of my owng one of my creditor in canada is own me $34.200 i want you to remove your own money there and keep the remeanig one 4 me if i come to your home to pick the car i wil have it from you
send me your information so i can send you the
cheque immediately,when you
cash the cheque will discuss over the shipping.
i need this information from you.............
first name..........
last name............
city ............
country..........
zip code........
including your phone number.
i will be expext to read from y
We bought a B Class with 2liter engine. Vehicle is powerfull enough. After 2 months of driving fuel economy is about 8.5-9 liter per 100km which is outstanding. Car is built very solidly, noticeable when closing doors. Space is almost as much as an S-Class. Seats are very well adjustable and comfortable. Loading room is extremely good for a small vehicle.Traction control excellent in snowy and slushy conditions.For 31950.- this car has no peers at all.
My wife has ordered a B class CVT and is very excited about it. The vehicle is relatively efficient, but it also offers a great environment inside, being very comfortable, roomy and practical. It should also take usuage from our SUV, which is a very green thing to achieve. We take the on may long trips instead of my wife's 325 BMW, but the B class will now be taken unless we are going off road. Its quiet and comfortable on the road and very roomy considering its tiny outside size. My wife calls it " my TARDIS" - for those ignorant the TARDIS ws Doctor Who's space ship. Who is Dr Who? forget it!!
Mercedes have provided for this expanding market before, with long wheel based A classes in the first series of A class vehicles, but the B looks quite different to the A class despite much of its cost has been paid for by the A class.
Mercedes have won over a 6 cylinder BMW client with the B class. We think it will be a very successfull vehicle.
The things we don't like are its turning circle (quite poor really), and we think its rear seats could have been more adjustable (but maybe that was a safety thing).
Note that the diesel is coming to Canada, waiting for clean diesel to make it's way through the distribution pipeline.
I saw this car in Miami , Florida yesterday with Ottawa plates. I drove the c-class with the small diesel engine in Brazil for two years and thought it was a great little car. Stable on the road, efficient, well-engineered.
I wish I could import the B-class from Canada, to USA but I suspect the import restrictions would bloat the cost of the car to something unimaginable do you know when it will be sold to the US ?
this is a nice car. Mercedes Quality with a VW price.
(I have one). Gas is up to 35mpg highway.
Overall for 35000miles is 27 mpg, city/highway based on the onboard calculator. Catch is that its premium gas.
Size is good for medium duty. I've stuffed it full with work material and people (same time).
Mercedes does the oil changes so its expensive sometimes.
Got the iPod option (you view the iPod menu thru Mercedes screen in front of driver...very cool).
Sunroof is big closed, good size open.
Not fast (non-Turbo) but 5 speed manual gives control over motor. My Grand Caravan is way bigger and better for 4 passengers (long distance).