Driving the novel Mercedes-Benz B-class

To most of us, when we think Mercedes-Benz, we think four-door sedan. Sure, we’ve had a smattering of largely gray market convertibles and coupes for the past few decades; but for the most part, the Mercedes-Benz model that instantly comes to mind starts with the prefix C, E, or S.

Thanks to the efforts of CATS Motors, however, we’re enjoying many more letters of the alphabet as far as Mercedes-Benz models are concerned. We’ve now got the G, ML and GL SUVs; the beautiful CL coupe and CLS sedans; as well as the SL and SLK convertible hardtops.

Then we’ve also got the B-class, the P2.250 million B170, which I recently tested and which is pretty special as Benzes go. For one thing, it’s got five doors in a crossover/hatchback configuration. For another, it’s one of the smallest Benzes we’ve seen recently. Third, it’s front-wheel-drive — unlike any Mercedes model currently available locally.

Look at the B-class’ shadow and you’ll be forgiven for thinking it was cast by a Honda Jazz. The two cars are similar in shape, although the German car is a whopping 17.3 inches longer, a stunning 11 inches wider and a full three inches taller. The genius, however, lies in the fact that the design concept is new for a Mercedes but the car is still instantly identifiable as one. Not only that, it looks darn great, too!

The B-170 may look jauntily sporty, but don’t go hunting for a BMW 1-series just yet. There is neither variable valve timing nor double overhead cams. There aren’t even four valves per cylinder — just two. Result? An unsensational 116 hp from 1.7 liters of displacement. (The 2.0-liter powered B-200 gives out a somewhat better 136 hp.) Mercedes quotes an 11.3-second sprint to 100 kph from a standstill and a top speed of 184 kph, which is nonetheless quick enough for everyday driving.

The B-class uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) dubbed Autotronic. It works like the CVT gearboxes in the Honda Jazz and City but adds Comfort and Sport settings (as well as a manumatic mode with "+" and "-" settings) to tailor the gear changes to the appropriate driving style. It may be a technologically innovative gearbox, but I feel that it detracts somewhat from the luxury and/or sporting experience, especially when you’re accelerating hard and the engine seems stuck at 6000 rpm — an experience that’s common to all CVT-equipped cars and takes some getting used to.

This Benz rides on MacPherson struts, wishbones, coil springs and a torsion bar stabilizer in front and a parabolic axle, coil springs and a torsion bar stabilizer at the rear — hardly cutting-edge suspension technology, which is why the B-class’ ride isn’t as supple as any of its plush-riding sedan brethren.

But what the B170 gives up in luxury car riding comfort, it makes up for in zippy handling. Few will buy a Mercedes just to attack corner apexes, but the B170 certainly feels eager to do so. Credit goes to the sport-oriented 17-inch wheels riding on 215/45 tires. (Comfort-oriented 15-inch wheels with narrower and higher-profile tires are actually the base wheel-and-tire package of the B170.)

Thanks to the space-saving arrangement of having its engine and transmission partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell, the B-Class offers the interior spaciousness of larger sedans and wagons despite its compact dimensions. A full 70 percent of the car’s length is devoted to interior space. Not surprisingly, it offers more shoulder-room, legroom and headroom than cars of comparable size.

But that’s not all to the B-class’ cabin genius. There’s an airconditioned 8.5-liter glovebox with iPod interface; front seats that can hold umbrellas; front door panels that can fit anything from maps to a 1-liter soda bottle; rear door panels that can stow cans and bottles; a center console and tunnel covering that provides more storage space; a cupholder behind the shift lever; and a drawer that can store a mobile phone. All these plus what is probably one of the best-looking (and feeling) steering wheels ever to grace a car interior this side of a Ferrari’s Momo.

All things considered, the B-class should draw a whole new set of buyers to the Mercedes-Benz brand: the younger, sportier, fun-loving and more looks-oriented set. They’ll certainly like what they’ll see. And if your 60-something E- or S-class-driving father happens to borrow your B170, he’ll instantly feel 10 years younger. The B-class does that to you.

It’s nothing less than a new-age status symbol from one of the oldest and most respected luxury carmakers in the world. The B-class’ first-rate functionality and versatility are merely the icing on the cake.

Sometimes you write your frustrations on paper and get reassuring pats on the back as a reward. Last week’s "counterflow" bickering by this writer might have triggered some feel-good "Chicken Soup for the Backseat Driver" text messages along with the obligatory comments and complaints. Here are some of them…

Sir Dong, if you want to trek a perfect road, do good in your lifetime because in Heaven, everything is good. More power, sir. — 09157410654 (Thank you. And may the world be blessed with more optimistic people like you and less jaded individuals like me.)

I know this is a little bit off-topic but I just want to thank the very nice patrol officer Rosarito, who helped us change a ripped tire along South Super Highway near Sta. Rosa. — 09209505747 (Yes, hats off to you, officer Rosarito.)

Please educate the Filipino motorist on how to use roundabouts. It took me a while to get used to it in Australia. Thanks. — 09175750500 (As a general rule, in order to simplify things in this reply, right of way goes to those already in the roundabout.)

Will the authorities please apprehend those jeepney drivers who don’t turn on their headlamps at night? — 09284148337 (Oh yes, will you, please?)

Is there a rule that prohibits left turns when a traffic light has no green arrow? There are some drivers who insist on turning left even if the green light to go forward and not left is still on. This causes accidents. — 09177965339 (Those drivers have mutant powers also! The power to be above the law…)

I hope our lawmakers will find a way to give tax incentives to those who would like to go into the taxi business. — 09178435013

Why do we have tellers in the E-Pass lane? Some motorists use defective E-Passes and use this as an alibi. — 09175260311

What makes Yoshimi Drugstore and Carcam Auto Supply in Tanza, Cavite think that they have the exclusive use of the road in front of their stores? — 09194500565

Mayor Binay, please draw a stop line along Serge Osmeña Highway corner Malugay Street, especially the northbound lane. Motorists are confused and cops make kotong. — 09178981787

Why do SLEX enforcers always catch overtakers on the aprons but let those turtles occupying the left lane go? Catch them too! — 09214178906

Speak out, be heard and keep those text messages coming in. To say your piece and become a "Backseat Driver", text PHILSTAR<space>FB<space>MOTORING<space>YOUR MESSAGE and send to 2840 if you’re a Globe or Touch Mobile subscriber or 334 if you’re a Smart or Talk ’n Text subscriber or 2840 if you’re a Sun Cellular subscriber. Please keep your messages down to a manageable 160 characters. You may send a series of comments using the same parameters.