New Mercedes B-Klasse Breaks Cover Ahead of Frankfurt Debut [Gallery]

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has come, after months in which the three-pointed star brand revealed the new B-Klasse model in the same manner the Chinese use drop water torture. And we are not at all disappointed, as the latest compact car from Mercedes-Benz brings a new four-cylinder petrol engine featuring direct injection and turbocharging, a new diesel engine, a new dual clutch transmission, a new manual transmission and new assistance systems.

Of course, that is without mentioning the changes in exterior and interior styling, which make this new sports tourer almost a completely reinvented model. A bit too far-fethced? That is for you to decide.

Performance wise, the new four-cylinder petrol engines are initially available with a displacement of 1.6 litres, as the B 180 with 122 hp/200Nm and the B 200 with 156 hp/250 Nm. As for the new four-cylinder diesel engines, we’ll get the B 180 CDI with 109 hp/250Nm and the B 200 CDI with 136 hp/300 Nm.

Another Mercedes-Benz premiere is the new 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission in the B-Klasse. On the other hand, the new 6-speed manual transmission designed along similarly compact lines as a three-shaft transmission is closely related to the DCT. Also, the chassis and suspension were refined, and the steering was redesigned.

Coming with a reduced height (1,557 mm) and amazing drag coefficient (cd = 0.26), the new B-Klasse will also offer four equipment packages (Chrome, Sports, Exclusive and Night) to choose from.

The safety of its passengers was also an aspect that the German engineers at Mercedes-Benz took care of. As a world first in the compact segment, the B-Klasse features a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist as standard, which lowers the risk of rear-end collisions. And this is only one example, as the PRE-SAFE preventive occupant protection system on the new B-Klasse is also available for the first time in this vehicle category.

We’ll remind you the new B-Klasse is scheduled to make its world public debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September, with the European markets first to have it two months later.

"No model change in the history of Mercedes-Benz has ever seen so many new developments introduced in one fell swoop," emphasizes Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Development, Mercedes-Benz Cars.

autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.