Mercedes-Benz is already down to the number 3 spot in the list of top premium car manufacturers after being replaced by BMW first and then Audi. But do you think the story ends here? To me it doesn’t as I am personally a Merc fan and believe that this German carmaker will definitely make a comeback. The sales might be down but the hope isn’t and since Merc has already announced that soon it will launch the Mercedes A-Class and Mercedes B-Class in India.
Talking in specific about B-Class, the car was recently crowned as the world’s most aerodynamic car, in fact even more aerodynamic than a bullet. The latest buzz in the auto industry is that Mercedes is going to launch the 2012 B-Class in India before the second quarter or by early third quarter of the financial year. Overdrive India has revealed that the B-Class maybe launched in India much before Diwali, in fact as early as July 2012.
Obviously the maker is betting big on the A and B Class and considering the fact that they will cheaper than the outgoing BMW X1 and Audi Q3, there are fair chances of both cars gaining popularity in the domestic market.
image – 2012 Mercedes B-Class
The B-Class is a sports tourer which is segment yet to be tapped on, in the Indian automobile market. When Mercedes launches this car it will surely force yet motivate other manufacturers to enter the same segment and bring more competition. The best thing about B-Class is its price which will fall in the Rs. 20 to Rs. 25 lakh.
image – 2012 Mercedes B-Class
Speculation is that Mercedes will offer two engines: a petrol and a diesel. The petrol engine will a 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged direct injection (GDI) unit that will generate maximum outputs of 121 BHP and 155 BHP depending on the variant. For diesel lovers the company will offer a 1.8 litre CRDI unit that will churn out 109 BHP and 135 BHP. Based on the MFA platform, the B-Class is the first car to use a front wheel drive system. Power will be delivered to the wheels via a 6 speed manual transmission or a 7 speed automatic transmission.
image – 2012 Mercedes B-Class
Technologies which we expect to see in the B-Class include Stop Start Technology, paddle shifters for both manual and automatic gearbox, electrically adjustable seats, dark tinted rear windows, glass roof etc. Safety features will include Collision Prevent Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist, Airbags, Pre-Safe etc.
image – 2012 Mercedes B-Class
We will keep you posted on the further developments and will bring you more updates from the launch as it happens. Stay tuned to Car Blog India for latest updates.
