A First Look At The Mercedes-Benz B-Class

The German luxury maker Mercedes-Benz has done it again and this time it has done it in style with its new 2008 Mercedes Benz B-class. Its seems the Germans have combined the physical features of the A-class and M-class models to come up with the large 4 X 4 four while drive. The B-class measures 4270mm in length and this qualifies it as a small car and its still longer than the A-class which is 3776mm in length. The vehicle is also more contemporary and versatile than the A model. It comes with

• electromechanical power steering,

• an electronic stability program

• a selective damping system that adapts the shock absorber response to the current driving situation.

• the sandwich concept

Mercedes Benz calls this new model the 'compact sports tourer', and it has been given a lot of praise since its debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. The sandwich concept which a lot of people have joked about involves positioning the engine and transmission just in front and beneath the passenger cell.

This space saving arrangement opens up new levels of shoulder, leg and headroom for occupants in a car of its size, but also has numerous safety benefits as well: in the event of a severe frontal impact, the drive unit is not shoved backwards towards the interior, potentially crushing limbs, but is engineered to slide downwards and away from passengers instead.

'Tis true - improved safety and comfort - and Mercedes-Benz even goes so far as to say: "Occupants in the rear benefit from the long wheelbase (2778 mm); this allows a distance between seats and generous kneeroom which almost matches that in the S-Class."

There you have it folks - trade in the S-Class and 7 Series now.