Reference Auto

Mercedes-Benz no longer wants to remain a laggard and is enhancing its grip in the luxury compact car market by bringing in a diesel variant of a hatchback from its B-Class stable, which it has priced at Rs 22.6 lakh in Mumbai (showroom price) but will the diesel B-Class be a game changer for Merc?

The diesel model will only be available in one variant, the B 180 CDI Style, which is propelled by a 2.2 litre four cylinder engine that belts out 250 Nm of torque @ 1,400-2,800 rpm. The vehicle can touch a top speed of 190 km per hour. Mercedes-Benz says the B-Class diesel offers fuel economy of 18.98 km per litre.

Mercedes-Benz claims the B 180 CDI diesel engine is cleaner, more efficient and more powerful and ensures higher fuel efficiency along with lower CO2 emissions. The B-Class diesel has a 50 litres tank capacity.

The German car maker says the new B-Class diesel is a harmonious blend of an SUV and a sedan, which offers the strength of an SUV and the comfort of a sedan.

The new generation car from Mercedes-Benz is equipped with features like Intelligent Assistance Systems, SLS AMG INSPIRED 7G-DCT transmission with shift paddles, which is inspired by SLS AMG and is somewhat unique in the luxury compact category.

There is also a new interior trim in the B 180 CDI: Brown Burr Walnut with satin finish and this adds to the luxury of the new B-Class.

The new car also has Audio 20 CD Infotainment System with dual tuner, MP3/WMA/AAC-compatible CD player and an USB interface along with AUX-IN socket (in the centre armrest).

The B-Class petrol, which sold 500 cars since the last one year of its launch, has boosted Mercedes-Benz’s sagging fortunes and the company expects that diesel cars, which are usually highly popular in India, will give growth a fillip.

In fact, diesel cars comprise almost three-fourths of Mercedes-Benz sales, and in case of the B-Class, sales are lower at one-fifth.

The auto major feels that its new generation small cars, which comprise the A and B classes, have received a good response from car buffs, and over the last 10 months, Merc sold over 1,000 cars.

The company revealed that the A-Class was among the successful Mercedes-Benz cars in India. Within a few days of the launch, the company notched 500 bookings. Going by this, the diesel variant could do even better and help put Merc in the top two league among all luxury cars, which is led by Audi and BMW.

The diesel variant of its ‘affordable’ B-Class car could turn out to be a game changer for Mercedes-Benz, which hopes to be among the top two luxury car makers (by beating BMW) at least in the medium term.