A long wait for baby Merc finally comes to an end, Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed the launch of B-class MPV on 19th of July, 2012. It’s not a typical MPV because it’s a five seater, but the rest if its traits are typical of a people-mover. It has the same characteristic profile, tall-ish roof and spacious cabin. Since it’s a Mercedes, expect top-notch quality, luxury bits in the cabin and loads of equipment.
The entry-level small car from Mercedes stable B-Class is expected to be priced starting from Rs. 22 lakh and it has already reached dealership yards in Goa (spotted by Team-BHPian). However, as there was no entry-level SUV in the Mercedes portfolio to compete against the likes of BMW X1 and Audi Q3 (not expected before 2015). So in order to fight back with the rivals, the company has decided to bring B-Class into India.
To make things interesting, Mercedes has decided to market the B Class MPV as India’s first Sports Tourer. Meanwhile, the company has started a countdown on its main website and launched a micro site readytob.in that simply says ‘coming soon.’ Also, they have invited the media to the Buddh International Circuit where they will reveal all details about B-Class.
Under the hood, B-class is likely to be powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol version is expected to be powered by a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged unit available in two states of tune with 122 PS and 156 PS of power outputs and a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder diesel unit again in 2 states of tune producing 109PS and 136 PS of power. The engines will be mated to 6 speed manual or 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission.
The MPV will come loaded with features like a Speed Limit Assist, Active Parking Assist, Brake Hold and Hill Hold Function, Distronic Plus, Blind Spot Detection System and Adaptive Headlamp Assist. Initially, few cars are expected to arrive into India through the Completely Built Unit(CBU) route. Later by the end of this-year the local assembling of model should begin as completely knocked down (CKD) unit along with ML350 at Chakan, off Pune.
What we say? Mercedes B-Class is actually a very sensible car, it just needs to be seen whether it can compete with the X1 and the Q3 sans the body size, as the Indian buyer is obsessed with ‘Baadi Gaadi’… SUVs.
Also see – Spied – Mercedes Benz B-class caught testing in Pune
See more spied pictures of Mercedes B-class in Goa –
Image Credit – Team-BHP
