2006 Mercedes Review

Specifications

Only in Canada You Say… Pity!

Go north to Canada, and other than a few oddities it doesnt seem much different than in the U.S. But, due to higher priced fuel (taxes), less expendable income (taxes) and greater European influence (especially in Quebec), there are a few cars sold up there that arent available down here. The compact Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a fine example of something that should work well in Canada, but not necessarily in the U.S. Or am I wrong?

Certain markets, California springs to mind, might really like the fuel efficient yet versatile B-Class, and what better way to find out than to drive one.

So much more than a Mercedes Echo, as one well-dressed man quipped to me in reference to Toyotas compact commuter (R.I.P. or good riddance depending on your point of view), the B-Class offers all the logic of an urban run-about (great gas mileage, loads of interior space and a wheelbase that makes parallel parking a breeze), combined with Mercedes-Benz production values.

Available north of the 49th in two models for 2006 (B200 and B200 Turbo), the front-wheel-drive B-Class is based on Mercedes very successful A-Class. That model line, sold in Europe, served as a bit of a testing bed for the B-Class, with both sharing a remarkable engineering design developed by Mercedes-Benz. The so-called sandwich floor allows for the engine and other drivetrain components to be located under the vehicles floor, not in the nose of the car. Not only does this design give passengers much more legroom, it provides incomparable safety — in the event of a front end collision, the engine and other bits and pieces slide under the cabins floor rather than into the cabin and its occupants.

My tester was the base model, with a standard five-speed manual transmission mated to a peppy 134-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. A continuously variable automatic transmission is available as an option. The Turbo model gets a big boost in horsepower (193) from the same engine, and comes standard with a six-speed manual or optional variable auto tranny.

Performance was just what youd expect from a Mercedes-Benz, albeit a rather different looking one than what youre used to. The five-speed was silky smooth, the engine performed excellently and the brakes were exceptional. My only complaint would be a bit of engine buzz at highway speeds, but up to 70 mph the cabin noise was comparable to the Mercedes E-Class sedan. Speaking of the E-Class, to get an idea of how clever the B-Class chassis design is, consider the B200 has more interior space than the big sedan.

Inside, the B-Class is all Mercedes class. Superb fit and finish, the use of high quality materials and a control/gauge layout that cannot be improved upon, make the B200 cabin as good if not better than the interiors of its big money stablemates.

Speaking of money, priced as they are — $30,950 and $34,950 CAD (the equivalent of about $26,400 and $29,800 USD at the time of this writing) for the base and turbo models respectively — these puppies are priced to sell.

Expect to see Canadian Benz dealer lots overflowing with M-Class trade-ins, as loyal Mercedes customers realize the folly of owning an SUV when the B200 fits all their motoring needs. The only losers in all this, as I see it, are any Mercedes salespeople who work on commission.

And finally, thanks to the 2006 B-Class, that classic Janis Joplins refrain, “Oh Lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes-Benz,” just got a whole lot more realistic for an entirely new segment of buyer, the working class. Whether American small car fans will be able to get their hands on a B-Class is anyones guess. The automaker is reconsidering its stand on Smart, mind you, so anything is possible.