ROAD TEST ~ 2011 M-B B200 TURBO

A Mercedes for every budget?

Although exclusivity adds to a luxury brand’s cachet, it can be hard on profitability. So can tarnishing your brand by dropping prices to where everybody can afford one.

That’s the dilemma Mercedes-Benz faced in Canada when it debuted the B200 in the fall of 2005, but it was a gamble that I believe paid off.

Mercedes offers a dizzying array of luxury and sport sedans, wagons, coupes, roadsters, convertibles, SUVs and crossovers, starting with the C-Class priced from the upper thirties to the SLR McLaren, which back then was available for a mere $450,000 US.

But there was still room in the lineup for something more affordable. So the company carved out a niche for its new “sports tourer,” pricing it where many families could consider the brand.

What’s a sports tourer? Think hatchback or tall wagon.

I’m not saying that a base price of thirty grand is cheap, and will point out that many, if not most five-door vehicles are less costly. So if this is strictly a question of cents and sensibility, opt for a Mazda5 – and you’ll get an extra row of seats.

This vehicle is about more than just practicality and price.

The B200 is for those who aspire to the Mercedes marque; those seeking not only luxury and premium craftsmanship, but a bit of indulgence, and at least in the North American market, a certain degree of exclusivity.

And that starts with a big three-pointed star, mounted prominently on the B200’s grille, flanked by wraparound projector headlamps with large air intakes below.

As for the overall look, I’d liken it to the Mazda5. Not quite as long, but more aggressive, and with dynamic character lines and creases that give it a look of forward motion.

The wheels also add to its sporty character especially the 17-inch, five-twin spoke alloys that came with my test vehicle.

The 2011 model comes in two flavours: the base B200, which starts at $29,900 and the B200 Turbo, which starts at $32,400.

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that provides 134 hp and 136 lb/ft of torque powers the “entry” B200.

That doesn’t sound like much, but keep in mind that this vehicle weighs only 1,355 kg (2,987 lbs) or about the same as a Toyota Matrix or Mazda3.

This engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, with an optional Autotronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) available for $1,500.

Standard equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, heated side mirrors, heated windshield washers, rain-sensing wipers and doorsill panels with aluminum inserts.

On the inside, you get automatic climate control, manually adjustable front seats, power windows with one-touch express up and down, tilt/telescopic steering column, auto-dimming rear view mirror, cruise control, smart key and AM/FM/MP3 six-CD changer with Bluetooth.

You can upgrade the base B200 with the Avantgarde Edition package. For another $1,750, this adds heated front seats, media interface (with iPod, USB and auxiliary connections), Autotronic transmission and 17-inch, five-twin-spoke alloy wheels. It’s a bargain, when you consider this package is only a $250 bump from ordering the CVT alone.

My tester was the B200 Turbo, which comes with even more standard equipment, and thankfully, more power.

It gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder that is well matched to this vehicle. Delivering 193 hp (at 5,000 rpm) and 206 lb/ft of torque from a low 1,800 rpm, this peppy engine is able to launch the vehicle from rest to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. That’s 2.5 seconds quicker than the base model.

I would have preferred the standard six-speed gearbox, and I am not usually a fan of automatic transmissions, but my CVT-equipped vehicle responded briskly to a prod of the pedal, and managed to stay in the “sweet spot” when pushed hard. Believe it or not, it is reported to be 0.2 seconds faster than the manual.

Choosing ‘sport’ over ‘comfort’ mode also provides a quicker throttle response. And if you want more control over shifting, the CVT offers a manual mode, allowing you to row through its virtual gears using the selector lever.

The B200 has a wide track and long wheelbase for a smooth, stable ride. And thanks to an advanced suspension, selective damping and parabolic axle, handling is precise for a tall wagon, with minimal body lean in the corners.

The B200 Turbo’s $2,500 price premium is a no-brainer when you consider not only the big boost in power and the provision of a six-speed rather than five-speed manual, but also the added content that includes larger five-twin spoke 17-inch alloys and Artico (man-made) leather upholstery.

My tester also included the Avantgarde package, which in the Turbo includes everything you get with base Avantgarde trim plus panoramic sunroof, 10-way power adjustable front seats and bi-colour 17-inch alloys.

There’s plenty of plastic throughout the interior, but it does not feel cheap. Aluminum trim and door inserts, attractive fabrics and leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and shifter knob add to its premium look, as do the well-laid-out instruments and controls.

Fit and finish is what you’d expect in a premium vehicle, with tight seams and no rattles or squeaks.

The cargo hold, at 544 litres, is thoughtfully constructed with a height adjustable floor, four cargo tie-downs and two sidewall compartments.

Lift the floor, which can be propped up using the pop-out bag holder, and you have additional hidden storage, and an ideal place to store the retractable cargo cover.

There’s also a pass-through between the 60/40 rear seatbacks, a feature that all cars should adopt so that you can carry skis or a couple of sticks of lumber without inconveniencing rear passengers.

Another feature I like – which should also be standard hatchback fare – are the flip-forward rear seat cushions. This allows the seatbacks to drop level with the rear for a flat cargo floor.

The B200 offers a full suite of safety features: electronic stability program, traction control, steer control (helps the driver counter-steer in a skid), antilock brakes with brake assist and six airbags.

This vehicle incorporates additional safety into its design through what they call the ‘sandwich concept.’ In the event of a front crash, the engine and transmission are able to slide down along the angled pedal floor and below the passenger compartment. This feature also allows for more efficient use of space.

There’s a lot more to be said about the B200 Sports Tourer and it’s worth a look on the company web site for more details. Or better yet, take one for a spin.

It may be the entry point to this luxury lineup, but the B200 is still every bit a Mercedes-Benz – delivering plenty of value for the dollar, along with the distinction of wearing the world-renowned three pointed star.

 

 

BODY STYLE: Compact wagon/hatchback

DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-wheel-drive

ENGINE: Turbocharged SOHC 2.0-litre inline four cylinder (193 hp, 206 lb/ft torque)

FUEL ECONOMY: Manual, 10.2/6.9 L/100 km (city/hwy); CVT 9.5/7.4 L/100 km (city/hwy)