New technology for A and B-Class

Mercedes-Benz is just months away from the introduction of facelifted and upgraded model ranges for the A- and B-Class small cars. The eco-friendly new models are scheduled for a third quarter release in Australia.

At this stage, the local market specifications have not been settled, but some features, such as the A-Class's 'ECO start-stop' facility are "pretty likely", according to David McCarthy, Senior Manager Corporate Communications for Mercedes-Benz Australia, although it's unlikely to be in the initial launch shipment.

This feature -- which automatically switches off the engine and then immediately restarts on demand from the driver -- is said to reduce fuel consumption in urban driving by up to nine per cent. A combined starter and generator unit is linked to the crankshaft by a drive belt and the unit stops generating electricity once the battery is fully charged, thus reducing load on the engine when not required.

Adaptive brake lights are another new feature introduced with the facelifted A-Class. In the event of emergency braking from a speed above 50km/h, the lights blink rapidly to alert drivers behind of an impending collision.

Parking Assist is another feature we may see in the upgraded A-Class. It's not the fully monty that the system in the Lexus LS600h is, requiring the driver to accelerate and brake, but the system in the A-Class will take care of the steering. Another new driving aid in the A-Class is the hill-holder function, which relies on the car's ESP to apply brake pressure on an ascent so the driver need not use the handbrake or heel-and-toe to effect a hill start.

The new A-Class can be identified by a mild facelift, comprising such cues as additional chrome strips in the radiator grille, new wheel designs, redesigned tail light clusters and modified rear bumper. Larger storage bins and revised fabrics have been adopted inside the new A-Class models.

In its home market, the A-Class is available with a 'BlueEfficiency' diesel engine developing 60kW of power, but using just 4.5L/100km of fuel for a CO2 emissions figure of 119g/km.

As for the smaller A-Class, the B-Class has come in for some environmental tweaking. Mercedes-Benz claims that the engines fitted to the B-Class burn up to seven per cent less fuel than before and emit CO2 emissions that undercut the EU standard figures by as much as 90 per cent.

The B-Class is also now upgraded with the ECO start-stop facility and Parking Assist.

A new engine option is the B170 that runs on natural gas. Developing 85kW of power, the B170 NGT is effectively a dual-fuel system, able to run on both petrol and natural gas. The car is actually more economical running on gas (4.9L/100km versus 7.3L/100km in petrol mode) and with the single petrol tank and five natural gas reservoirs, can travel up to 1000km without refilling. At 135g/km, the B170 NGT is produces 17 per cent fewer emissions in natural gas mode than in petrol mode.

This vehicle is not as likely to reach Australia, as the infrastructure doesn't exist in sufficient depth to support the refuelling of this vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz has also revamped the two direct-injection diesel and four petrol engines for improved fuel economy (as much as a seven per cent improvement for the diesels).

Visually, the B-Class is distinguished by a revised radiator grille integrating the three-pointed star corporate badge, revised front bumper, bonnet and tail lights, plus body-colour accenting for door handles, exterior mirrors and lower side sills.

Inside, the cabin features new fabrics and diagonally brushed aluminium in a smoke grey finish. The same trim is applied around the gearshift plinth and in the door panels.

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