Mercedes-Benz will launch the diesel variant of the B-Class compact MPV for the Indian market at an event in Mumbai tomorrow. The B-Class model has been available in India from last September, but only with a petrol engine. The car will be powered by the same 2.2-litre oil burner found under the hood of the A-Class diesel.
The 2.2-litre engine is a power plant shared by the A-Class, C-Class and the E-Class, in various states of tune. In the B180 CDI, the engine develops 108PS at 3,200rpm and 250Nm of torque from as early as 1,400rpm-2,800rpm. Power will be applied to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The B-Class follows Mercedes’ Modular Front Architecture (MFA) that underpins the A-Class and will be available only in the ‘Style’ trim. This will mean that the diesel variant will miss out on the panoramic sunroof and will trade the 17-inch alloy wheels for a higher profile 16-inch wheels. It is also likely that Mercedes-Benz will have a launch edition of the B-Class diesel and it will be limited to 100 units only.
Bar the prices, all the features of the diesel variant are already available as the petrol version has been available in the market for nearly a year. The B-Class diesel competes with the BMW X1, Volvo V40 Cross Country. It is likely to be priced at Rs 25 lakh (average ex-showroom).
Have a look at our first drive of the B-Class petrol here and the preview of the B-Class 180 CDi here
