Mercedes-Benz鈥檚 compact vehicle family has just gotten bigger, with the introduction of the all-new B-Class. Unveiled at the 2018 Paris Auto Show, the German firm鈥檚 rival to the likes of the BMW 2-Series Active/Gran Tourer carries Mercedes鈥?latest design language and looks more mature than the predeccesor. It has shorter overhangs, a lowered roofline, more muscular body and, of course, redesigned front and rear ends. These features are joined by the optional LED headlights with LED DRLs, a large roof spoiler and wheel choices that span between 16 and 19 inches. Thanks to the new design, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class has best-in-class airflow, claims the automaker, with aerodynamics engineers said to have reduce wind noise too, thanks to some extensive detail work. Moving inside, drivers will sit 90 mm higher than in the latest A-Class. This results in good all-round visibility, enhanced by the optimized cross-sections of the roof pillars, which obscure less of the surroundings.
The dashboard panel is almost identical to the one found in the compact hatchback and sedan, with the dual-screen layout, five round air vents and ambient lighting. Front elbow width, rear headroom and legroom have been increased thanks to the car鈥檚 slightly larger footprint and 30 mm longer wheelbase. Boot space has also gone up a bit, varying between 455 and 705 liters with the rear seats up, and 1,540 liters with the rear seats folded down. The multicontour seats with massage, heating and ventilation functions are on the options list, alongside other equipment that will be detailed later this year for every trim level. Some of the functions of the S-Class flagship have been brought to the B-Class too, with Mercedes claiming the minivan can drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. Powering it the 2019 Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a new/updated range of engines, all of which comply with the Euro 6d-TEMP limits. The 1.5-liter dCi is still here, making 115 PS and 260 Nm of torque, joined by a 2.0-liter diesel with two outputs: 150 PS and 188 PS. Two four-cylinder petrol engines are also available, both of them with 1.33 liters in displacement, making 136 PS and 163 PS. The larger diesel can be had with a new dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission, and Mercedes-Benz says other engines will follow, as well as a 4Matic all-wheel drive system variant.
鈥檚 a full 70.7 inches of depth. To ease loading and unloading of passengers and cargo, the Velar鈥檚 air suspension can lower by 1.6 inches. Beauty and versatility have never worked in such concert. The 2018 Velar will be available globally with six powertrains, three of which are approved for U.S. Base-spec Velars are powered by a new Ingenium 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 247 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. For additional coin, a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder is available with 180 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the range is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (ported from the Jaguar F-TYPE S and F-Pace 35t) making 380 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard equipment regardless of engine choice. None of the Velar powertrains can be considered slow, but the supercharged V6 is genuinely quick. 0-60 mph takes a mere 5.3 seconds and top speed is limited to 155 mph. At a moment鈥檚 notice, the Velar鈥檚 4,100-pound body surges into action, its engine smoothly doling out power to the driver鈥檚 satisfaction.
The EPA's mixed-driving estimates for the Velar are 20 mpg with the V6, 23 mpg with the base four-cylinder and 28 mpg with the thrifty diesel. It would be incorrect to say the Velar is the first Land Rover to master corners; the Range Rover Sport SVR takes that honor. The keys to the Velar鈥檚 dual personality are its Terrain Response 2 system, Adaptive Dynamics suspension and aluminum-intensive chassis (shared with the Jaguar F-PACE). With three on-road drive modes, including a Dynamic setting for maximum performance, the Velar is a sure-footed SUV at just about any pace. When the paved road ends, the Velar gladly proves its birthright with sophisticated traction management modes, air suspension, All Terrain Progress Control, hill-descent control and a locking differential. Piloting a crossover with 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires up the side of a gravel-strewn mountain is the fantasia of Land Rover engineering, and the world is better for it. Beyond the reductionist approach to cabin design, the premise of the Velar鈥檚 interior gadgetry is that technology can be convenient rather than confusing. In many ways, Land Rover pulls off its goal.
Every Velar comes standard with a pair of 10-inch high-definition center displays. The upper monitor tilts forward from its flush-to-dash position to reveal a beautiful array of intuitive menus while the fixed bottom display shows even more impressive visuals that change as the content does. While the upper screen is purely touch functional, the bottom monitor can be controlled with both touch inputs and a pair of 鈥渕agic鈥?dials. There's also an available 12.3-inch digital driver display that can replace the gauge cluster's pair of analog dials and smaller digital monitor. Navigation, media and other information is shared or split among all three monitors, and some essential readouts (like speed and turn-by-turn directions) appear on the hovering head-up display. It all takes a bit of getting used to, and we never quite adapted to the adjusting steering wheel controls, but most controls are intuitive, customizable and smartly adaptive. The 2018 Velar also comes standard with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and rear parking sensors. Upgradable driving aids include adaptive cruise control with queue assist, driver condition monitor, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition with an adaptive speed limiter.
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