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Mercedes-Benz is out to revitalise and re-invent its boxy B-Class with an all-new model aimed directly at the winner of the Carsguide and World car of the year awards over the past 18 months.
The new B is also expected to spark a range of spin-off models including a curvy new coupe similar to a scaled-down Benz CLS, as well as a compact SUV. The Carparazzi crew has been on the case and, as well as catching the B-Class during development trials, has stripped away the on-the-road camouflage panels for a peek at how the new contender is likely to look.
It has created a picture of a B-Class that is a lot less boxy than today's compact, but still with a mini-wagon look which should work for people shopping it against baby SUVs including the latest BMW X1. The B will have a big job in Australia as Mercedes is planning to dump its smallest model, the A-Class, and using the new baby B as its local lead-off once buyers step up from the Smart class.
Globally, Benz is aiming to substantially lower the age of existing B- Class owners - who are mostly in the 60-plus retirement bracket. Carparazzi says the new B-Class will be pitched as a sports-tourer in Europe to compete with the Golf, although little is known about potential powerplants beyond the need for a hybrid alongside the regular petrol and BlueEfficiency diesels.
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