Mercedes Benz B-Class Luxury Hatchback Facelift & new A-Class Variant Launched in India

Continuing its car launch blitz, Mercedes Benz has just launched the facelifted B-Class luxury hatchback and a new variant of the A-Class in India. The German luxury car maker has planned no less than 15 new cars for India this year, and the facelifted B-Class represents the third launch for the luxury marque. A common thread that runs across both luxury hatchbacks is the addition of a more powerful state of tune on the 2.2 liter-4 cylinder turbo diesel engine, which now pumps out 132 Bhp-300 Nm, up from 108 Bhp-250 Nm. The new diesel variants of the hatchbacks gain the 200 CDI Sport moniker, indicating the higher state of tune that they’re available in.

This big bump up in power and torque was the need of the day, as both the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 Diesels were much more powerful than the older spec A and B-Class models from Mercedes Benz. The 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox continues unchanged on both petrol and diesel engined models, with a front wheel drive layout standard on both cars. The 1.6 liter-4 cylinder turbo petrol engines on both cars remains unchanged, along with the 120 Bhp-200 Nm outputs. Sliding panoramic sunroofs are now standard on both cars while the A-Class gets revised suspension tuning to cope with Indian road conditions, where the car’s low ground clearance has proven to be bothersome.

Coming to the B-Class Facelift, the car gets refreshed front and rear ends with stylistic changes. The headlamps are new with optional LEDs, reprofiled front and rear bumpers, larger air dams up front, new tail lamps and more chrome on the outside are the design highlights of the facelifted car’s exteriors. On the inside, changes are limited to additional ambient lighting options, a reverse camera, a new steering wheel and a larger infotainment display. In terms of pricing, the A-Class 200 CDI Sport is pegged at 26.95 lakh rupees while the petrol powered A180 Sport variant sells for 25.95 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Mumbai.

The facelifted B-Class B180 Sport petrol is priced at 27.95 lakh rupees, with the diesel powered B200 CDI Sport model sitting a lakh rupees higher at 28.95 lakh rupees. Both the MFA platform based cars continue to be imported through the CBU route into India and as of now, no plans exist for CKD assembly at Mercedes Benz Chakan factory. Even the GLA crossover comes in through the CBU route. Currently, the only MFA car that is assembled in India through the CKD kit route is the CLA sedan.