Auto Nation Group (ANG), the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the Philippines, has launched the all-new Mercedes-Benz B-Class, redefining practicality, versatility, and safety while putting emphasis on a sportier tourer identity.
First introduced in 2005, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class compact MPV was part of a new segment of vehicles catering to a younger market. Since then, the brand has created a line of new generation vehicles such as the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, and GLA that appeal to a new generation of car owners who are drawn to more stylish, sporty, and technologically-advanced vehicles – all new and fresh while maintaining the distinct Mercedes-Benz DNA.
Locally, the third-generation B-Class is only available in one trim, the Mercedes-Benz B 180 Progressive. Under the hood, it is powered by a 1.3-liter inline-4 turbo gasoline engine that pushes out 136 hp @ 5500rpm and 200 Nm of torque @ 1460rpm and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Inside, the new B-Class continues what the new A-Class started. At the center of its dashboard is a widescreen display that serves both as the instrument cluster and the infotainment system powered by the MBUX. The five round air vents feature a high-grade turbine look with finely styled air ducts, inspired by the world of aviation. Its Artico-leather-made seat offers excellent ergonomics and a high degree of comfort even on longer journeys.
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More Space
Touted as the ideal family car because of its space, comfort, safety, and versatility, the new B-Class has redefined its relaxed and practical look with a sportier profile without sacrificing space or user value.
The new design offers more head- and elbow room in both the front and the rear than its predecessor. The seating has also been elevated to be more comfortable and while improving all-around visibility. The new B-Class’ 40-40-20 lay-fold rear seats capability allows the carriage of longer luggage and expands the already generous boot space further.
High Safety Standards
The new B-Class is equipped with an extended Active Brake Assist as a standard.
It also has Attention Assist with adjustable sensitivity that can warn the driver in a timely manner in case of inattentiveness and drowsiness. To add to one’s peace of mind, the vehicle comes is equipped with airbags for driver and front passenger, including window bags and knee bag for the driver, as well as ISOFIX child-seat mounts and top tether attachment points in the rear backrest, plus a host of other safety features.
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Hey Mercedes!
At the heart of the MBUX system is a highly intelligent virtual assistant, which is activated by pressing a button on the steering wheel or by simply saying, “Hey Mercedes”. The voice commands control infotainment functions such as destination input, phone calls, music selection, climate control, and ambient lighting. MBUX also comes with a natural speech recognition program that helps it to recognize and understand nearly all sentences from the fields of multimedia and vehicle operation.
The MBUX feature is equipped with a 7.4-inches touchscreen display – a highlight of the comprehensive touch control concept that combines the functionalities of the touchscreen, a touchpad on the center console, and the touch-control buttons on the steering wheel for less driver distraction and stress.
A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX is customizable and adapts to the user.
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Availability
The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class is priced at PHP 2.690M and is now available at all Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide (EDSA Greenhills, Alabang, BGC and Cebu).
For more information about the all-new B-Class, visit www.mercedes-benz.ph.