These are the first spy photos of a 2012 B-Klasse test prototype captured on US ground. This is a solid clue that Mercedes-Benz plans to sell the second generation of its compact sports tourer in North America as well. There's still plenty of time left till the new B-Klasse is officially released at the IAA Frankfurt in September 2011, so the cars continue to be heavily camouflaged. Some details of the dashboard (you were able to see it in previous articles posted on our blog:1,2) have been somehow revamped (for instance, the circular air vents), so that now the whole architecture looks softer and rounder. Don't be fooled by the pop-up screen of the COMAND system: it is a temporary solution used only during the testing and development phase of the model, as the series B-Klasse will be fitted with a fixed display. Technically, the new generation B-Klasse, alongside the future A-Klasse, will be developed on the new MFA modular platform. The engine lineup will comprise low displacement petrol and diesel units coming from Renault, going from 1.2 up to 1.8 liters. The top variant, the B 250 CDI, will make use of the Mercedes-Benz 2,143 cc diesel powerplant, which delivers a maximum output of 204 hp. Customers will have the possibility to be mate the powering solutions described above with two new transmission: either with a 6-speed manual gearbox or with a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch tranny. Apart from these, expect also plug-in hybrid, E-CELL and F-CELL versions for the new B-Klasse.
See more spy shots after the jump!
Source of the photos >> SecretNewCars
Copyright © 2010, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.
