Merc's New Plan B

Images in the current issue of Auto Express magazine reveal the truth about the car that's set to take on the executive hatch market with a winning combination of style and practicality.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Chris Thorp

11th August 2004

The B-Class will fit in the Mercedes line-up between the A and C-Class. It's already well into its development programme, and is tipped to be unveiled in concept form early next year. Following the GST (Grand Sports Tourer) show car, which will be named R-Class when it is also revealed in 2005, this hatch has been codenamed CST - short for Compact Sports Tourer - and will wear B-Class badges when it goes on sale. Based on a lengthened version of the A-Class platform, the newcomer will offer a flexible cabin and room for five. The mag/s spy shot confirms the dashboard will be similar in layout to the smaller car's. While the focus will be on practicality, Mercedes' engineers know that the B-Class must be dy-namically capable, too.

As with many models in the firm's line-up, it's thought the car will come in two and four-wheel-drive form, although UK cars will be front-wheel drive only. There will be a choice of 1.5, 1.7 and 2.0-litre normally aspirated petrol en-gines, plus a hot 2.0 turbo flagship. Meanwhile, diesel fans will be offered several variants of a 2.0-litre oil-burner. UK prices are uncomfirmed, but buyers should expect to pay from ΂£15,500.

For an alternative review of the latest Mercedes B-Class visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk