Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially introduced the
W247 B-Class in the country, the third-generation compact MPV going on sale in a single variant form, the B 200 Progressive Line. It’s powered by the same M282 DE
14 LA 1.33 litre turbocharged four-pot as seen on the W177 Progressive Line
hatch – and V177 sedan – A 200 examples, the unit – which was developed in
partnership with Renault – offering a likewise similar output of 161 hp (or 163
PS) at 5,500 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,620 to 4,000 rpm. Paired with a Getrag seven-speed
dual-clutch (wet) transmission, the B 200 does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.2
seconds and gets to a 233 km/h top speed.
The Progressive Line exterior features LED
headlamps, a radiator grille with silver-painted twin louvre and chrome insert,
a front apron with a chrome insert, side sill panels and 18-inch five-twin
spoke light-alloy wheels. At the back, design elements include a bumper with a
black lower section and chrome trim strip.
Meanwhile, the interior has been significantly
updated from the previous-gen and is very much shaped along the lines of the
A-Class, but the dashboard has a few bits that doesn’t make it a complete
lift-off from the latter, primarily with how the dual freestanding 10.25-inch
displays are framed. Still, plenty of familiar elements abound, from the
climate control switchgear and air-conditioning vents to the centre console
layout.
Like the A 200 examples, the B 200’s cabin is
dressed in black. Kit includes black open-pore linden wood trim and Artico
leather upholstery, Comfort seats, a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel,
64-colour ambient lighting and 10 colour themes, and of course, the
Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system and its “Hey Mercedes”
voice control functionality.
The rear seats are of the 40:20:40 split variety,
and can be moved forward (14 cm of adjustability) to free up more cargo space,
which varies between 455 and 705 litres depending on configuration. With the
rear seats folded, the capacity swells to 1,540 litres.
Safety and driver assistance kit, meanwhile,
includes Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist (autonomous emergency braking)
and Active Parking Assist with Parktronic. As for pricing, the B 200
Progressive Line goes for RM 239,888 (on-the-road without insurance).
