Mercedes-Benz reveals new B-Class pricing

The small people-mover market is heating up with Mercedes-Benz's 2015 B-Class again undercutting BMW's newcomer, the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Priced from $41,400 (plus on-road costs), the new B 180 entry model represents an increase in value of $800 according to Mercedes-Benz, but is priced just $500 higher than the outgoing model.

The price changes see the B 180 arrive $3000 cheaper than the comparable BMW 218i Active Tourer, the B 200 $3500 less than the 220i Active Tourer and the range-topping B 250 $700 less the price of the equivalent 225i Active Tourer.

The only model to cost more than its BMW equivalent is the B 200 CDI, which we drove at the international launch in Spain last October. At $47,900, it costs $100 more than the 218d Active Tourer.

The new B-Class receives a revised look and an expanded feature list, while standard all-wheel drive is included for the range-topping B 250 variant.

The model range now features re-profiled headlights, a newly styled front bumper and larger air intakes while at the rear new LED tail-light clusters and a fresh-look bumper that encapsulates the exhaust outlets round out the changes.

Cabin changes include a larger 8.0-inch 'floating' infotainment screen and classier trim materials and garnishes. Base B 180 variants now also offer standard sat-nav and push-button start, while mid-tier B 200 models add keyless entry/start, LED headlights, blind-spot assist and an upgraded navigation package.

Topping the stack, the B 250 gains those features listed for the B 200, as well as the aforementioned 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, an anti-theft system and ambient lighting package.

Driveline offerings remain unchanged, though small changes to engine mapping have liberated slight gains in fuel economy and performance.

For the 90kW/200Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol B 180, that spells an improvement of 1.1sec to 100km/h (now 9.1sec), and a betterment of 0.6L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle (now 5.5L/100km). Higher output 115kW/250Nm versions of the same engine see an identical fuel consumption improvement in B 200 variants, but a fall of 0.2sec in its 0-100km/h time (to 8.6sec).

Diesel-powered B 200 CDI models now develop peak power 400rpm lower (at 3200-4000rpm), the 100kW/300Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel also developing peak torque lower at 1400-3000rpm (-200rpm). The variant is 0.5sec slower to 100km/h (now 9.8sec), but also 0.5L/100km more efficient (now 4.2L/100km).

At the head of the pack, the B 250's 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol matches the 0-100km/h time of its front-wheel drive predecessor (at 6.7sec) but uses 0.3L/100km more fuel (now 6.8L/100km).

The 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class range is on sale now.