Mercedes-Benz B-Class Prices Start From £16,995

Published: 18th July 2005

SE upgrade

Available for just £950 is an SE upgrade. Standard on B 200 SE and B 200 CDI SE, a number of cosmetic and equipment enhancements are added, including: 16" alloy wheels with locking nuts; chrome exterior trimmings; colour-coded side skirts; mirrors and door handles; rear electric windows, automatic headlamps with delayed switch-off; leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake surround and gear shift lever; rain-sensing windscreen wipers and failsafe lighting.

Failsafe lighting ensures that, in the event of a bulb blowing (which will be shown in the instrument display) another bulb temporarily takes its place.

Turbocharged range-topping variant

At the top of the B-Class range sits the high-performance B 200 Turbo, costing £22,795. Its powerful pedigree is obvious from the subtle enhancements that feature on its exterior, and inside. Similar in specification to the SE models, outside the most obvious changes are: 18" five-spoke AMG alloy wheels with 215/40 R18 tyres; twin stainless steel exhaust pipes; sports suspension (lowering the car by 10 mm) and chrome trim accents.

Inside, sports front seats are clad in ARTICO man-made leather substitute (side bolsters) and "Zandvoort" fabric (centre panel, headrests). Foot pedals (accelerator, brake, clutch) are stainless steel with rubber studs whilst the sports steering wheel is leather trimmed. Smoked rear light clusters add to the swift look.

Performance is spirited: the 0-62 mph dash takes 7.4 seconds for the manual (7.2 for AUTOTRONIC transmission), and combined fuel consumption is a respectable 34.9 mpg.

Some elements of this trim are available as part of a £495 sports package, available on SE models which includes lowered suspension and 17" 10-spoke alloy wheels. A key highlight of the options is the sports seats package - costing just £100.

Enduring quality - guaranteed for up to 30 years

Every B-Class bought from an official UK Mercedes-Benz retailer comes with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty as standard, and with 30 year MobiloLife cover offering protection against breakdown or corrosion from the inside out for three decades.

Service intervals are variable, carbon dioxide emissions are from 146 g/km, and combined fuel consumption is up to 50.4 mpg (B 180 CDI manual). Add this to insurance groups starting at 7E for the B 150, and B-Class running costs look set to be low, too.

With all B-Class diesel engines being Euro 4 compliant, there is also a further saving in running costs for business and fleet users. A three per cent Benefit in Kind tax saving is available for the life of the vehicle on all Euro 4 diesel powered B-Class, providing they are purchased before the end of the year.

In the UK, the B-Class launch campaign will feature in an innovative series of television adverts, due to be screened from 15 July. Over twenty different 20-second adverts will feature the myriad ways of using the new car - staking its rightful claim as a true multi-activity vehicle, and the first premium alternative to a compact MPV.