MERCEDES-BENZ ( B CLASS ) From Wikipedia

MERCEDES-BENZ ( B CLASS ) From Wikipedia

The Mercedes-Benz B-Class (codename W245) is a small family car introduced by German automaker Mercedes-Benz in March 2005. It is essentially an enlarged A-Class keeping the same engine and suspension system. Like the A-Class, and unlike any other vehicle Mercedes builds or has built, the B-Class is a front wheel drive vehicle. Mercedes-Benz describes this vehicle as a Compact Sports Tourer instead of hatchback or multi-purpose vehicle, like its R-Class model, which is called a Grand Sports Tourer. The B-class is what鈥檚 known as a two-box design: one box for the drivetrain and another the passenger and luggage compartments. The B-Class gains much of its comparatively large interior volume through its height, a configuration that makes the most of the vehicle鈥檚 footprint. Having evolved from the even smaller A-Class, a car that was originally intended to have a battery-powered version that would meet California鈥檚 since-rescinded zero-emissions mandate. The sandwich floor concept鈥攖he structure of the car under the floor where the batteries were supposed to go鈥攚as retained in the B-Class. The powertrain (engine and transmission) moves beneath the passenger cell (located at high seating position) in the event of a big frontal impact.

As a secondary benefit, because the seats have been raised by 20 cm, the passengers are taken away from the more common area of lateral impact in accidents. The B-Class presents a wide interior, basically due to the Sandwich floor. The multifunction steering wheel (standard feature) allows the driver to use his/her thumbs to control the radio, telephone and other systems. The power assisted steering (standard feature) aids in the control of the automobile, varying according to the speed. The COMAND APS is a system where Route instructions are given to the navigation system, and the information is provided via TMC. The car radio, DVD and telephone controls are combined into a single unit with a 6.5 inch screen. The options are: standard Audio 20 radio/single CD, Audio 50 APS or COMAND APS. Parktronic emits warning tones and uses multiple LEDs to indicate how far the car is from an obstacle.

Rain sensor (standard feature) smoothly adjusts the wiper speed, depending on the intensity of the rainfall. Tunnel Mode closes all windows and the panoramic sliding sunroof. The multicontour seat (optional feature) is composed of a set of small air cushions individually adjusted to the driver's body, as he/she wishes. The W245 units have a powerful car air conditioning system, with separate temperature adjustment for driver and front passenger. Standard CDI models include a Heater Booster System (standard on CDI models) that instantly floods the interior of the B-Class with hot air. The new optional sunroof is divided in small panels that can be displaced individually. Each one can be controlled separately to selectively administer the shades inside the W245. High-strength and ultra-high-strength steel alloys are combined with high-strength bonded joints. The B-Class has several airbags. The front airbag is adaptive with two-stage gas generators (standard feature), where the system evaluates the severity of the accident.

The B-Class also includes side airbags for head and thorax (standard for driver and front passenger). Two other additions are optional: Rear Sidebags (optional feature) for side-on collisions in the back seats and Windowbags: large airbags expanding like a curtain from A- to C-pillars in side-on collisions. The Adaptive Function (standard feature for driver and front passenger) adapts the force exerted by the belt, relaxing dynamically during the collision. On the other hand, the Tensioners (standard feature) continuously adjust to remove any possible slack, and increase the tightness if necessary. The driver is notified if all the belts are buckled (standard feature). Lastly, the active head restraints (standard feature) respond actively to a collision, assuring even more protection. While driving there is the Acceleration-Skid Control (ASR) (standard feature) and Electronic Stability Program ESP (standard feature) that reduce the risk of skidding. There are disc brakes on all four wheels, and emergency stops are improved with the Anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Brake Assist System (BAS), standard on the Mercedes Benz A-Class. BAS detects emergency braking (most drivers apply the brakes quickly but without enough pressure) and exerts maximum brake pressure.

To make more room for transporting goods, it is possible to fold the seats forward and then level them at two different heights. They provide different final modular space combinations. 1. Easy-Vario: Both rear-seat cushion sections are folded forward, while the luggage compartment floor can be set to one of two different heights. 2. Easy-Vario-Plus: Both rear-seat cushion and the front passenger seat are folded forward. This increases the load capacity to as much as 1995 litres. The B160 and B180 conform to Euro V emission standards. The rest of the engines conform to Euro IV emission standards. A particulate filter is available as an option for the diesel units (this reduces about 99% of the particle emissions, without the need for additives). As an option there is an Autotronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in which the ratios are changed continuously by means of a pulley-wheel variator and a steel thrust belt.