Despite its strange appearance, the current generation of Mercedes Benz B-Klasse has enjoyed a decent amount of market success since it was launched, selling over 120,000 units in its first year alone. The next one, which is due later this year, should do even better for the company and should be exported for the first time to the US.
These are the latest shots by Scoopy of the all-new Merc, which will be built on an all-new front-wheel drive platform, known internally as the MFA. Also new to the next generation will be a conventional unibody frame that replaces the current sandwich structure engineering. The MFA platform will also spawn the next A-class, as well as other derivatives including a compact SUV and a small sedan model. This should make building the B-Klasse less expensive and simpler.
Some engines for the new car will be sourced from Renault, joining other in-house powerplants for the upper range. The smaller engines will come in the form of 1.2-liter, 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter turbocharged units, as well as a 1.6-liter diesel, also supplied by the French carmaker. The B-Klasse will also come with a 2.2-liter diesel and even a plug-in hybrid (E-Cell Plus), an all-electric (E-Cell) and a fuel cell (F-Cell) variant.
The hatchback seen here testing in prototype form appears to retain the boxy look of the current model, although the side view looks similar to the 2011 R-Klasse. We can’t tell you much about the exterior of the car, as its body panels are still covered up, but the look should align with the 2009 BlueZERO concept family.
These are the latest shots by Scoopy of the all-new Merc, which will be built on an all-new front-wheel drive platform, known internally as the MFA. Also new to the next generation will be a conventional unibody frame that replaces the current sandwich structure engineering. The MFA platform will also spawn the next A-class, as well as other derivatives including a compact SUV and a small sedan model. This should make building the B-Klasse less expensive and simpler.
Some engines for the new car will be sourced from Renault, joining other in-house powerplants for the upper range. The smaller engines will come in the form of 1.2-liter, 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter turbocharged units, as well as a 1.6-liter diesel, also supplied by the French carmaker. The B-Klasse will also come with a 2.2-liter diesel and even a plug-in hybrid (E-Cell Plus), an all-electric (E-Cell) and a fuel cell (F-Cell) variant.
The hatchback seen here testing in prototype form appears to retain the boxy look of the current model, although the side view looks similar to the 2011 R-Klasse. We can’t tell you much about the exterior of the car, as its body panels are still covered up, but the look should align with the 2009 BlueZERO concept family.