Mercedes-Benz has revealed its facelifted B-Class family car that it calls a Sports Tourer. The B-Class was the first of Merc’s cars to enter into the new ‘hip and cool’ market that has led to the likes of the A-Class, CLA and GLA. For the facelifted variant Merc has added a B-Class Electric Drive model to the range.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Update

The easiest way to recognise the facelifted B-Class is from the front: a new bumper, wide radiator trim with two louvres and now integral daytime running lamps in the headlamps are the major changes up front. The rear bumper has also been modified and now features an additional chrome trim strip. Bicolour tail lamps featuring LEDs are the only rear end changes.

The B-Class has enhanced the free-standing head unit display, which is now larger, with a diagonal of up to 8-inches. Small touches here and there to the interior aim to give the B-Class a more upmarket feel from its predecessor. The Infotainment system has also been upgraded and features ‘Mercedes Connect Me’ the available services include, among others, accident recovery, as well as service maintenance and incident management. It also connects to the users Smartphone, displaying several functions of your car such as fuel level and being able to set the climate control remotely.

Engines in the range take the form of a single petrol and two diesels with the electric model finalising the range. The petrol 1.6-litre turbo is available in two states of tune – 90 kW and 200 Nm or 115 kW and 250 Nm. The diesels starts with a 1.45-litre turbodiesel capable of 80 kW and 260 Nm. The second spec diesel is the 2.1-litre that in its lowest state of tune produces 100 kW and 300 Nm whilst in highest tune produces 130 kW and 350 Nm.

The Electric B-Class is rated at 132 kW and 340 Nm. It also has an impressive top speed of just short of 160 kph. From zero to 100kph the electric B-Class is quite rapid, managing the sprint time in 7.9 seconds.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class price in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz B 200 CDI – R404 200

Mercedes-Benz B 220 CDI – R448 000

Mercedes-Benz B 200 – R388 300

Mercedes-Benz B 250 – R464 800