2006 Mercedes-Benz B200 CDI

The new B 200 TURBO and the CDI models B 180 CDI and B 200 CDI are equipped with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The newly developed, continuously variable AUTOTRONIC automatic transmission is optionally available for all engine variants of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

Top-class technology for agile handling and outstanding safety

Innovations in the field of suspension technology have contributed greatly to a successful combination of agility, safety and comfort – with all these attributes enjoying equal importance.

The newly developed electromechanical power steering system generates its servo effect with an electric motor, varying it as a function of road speed. This means the servo action is greater at low speeds than at high speeds, which means that the steering is much lighter than a conventional system when parking or manoeuvring slowly. The parabolic rear axle is likewise a new development. It makes a major contribution to the stable, sporty and precise handling, as well as the excellent ride comfort of the new B-Class.

The improved Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) now has a new, additional function: the STEER CONTROL steering assistance system. This operates in tandem with the electromechanical power steering system, providing the appropriate servo assistance in critical handling situations to help the driver stabilise the vehicle. When braking on road surfaces offering less grip on one side than the other the new, additional ESP® function also helps with steering corrections and provides the driver with better road contact.

As a further special feature included as standard, the suspension of the Compact Sports Tourer has a new, selective damping system which adapts the shock absorber response to the current driving situation. A soft shock absorber configuration ensures a high level of ride comfort during normal driving, but switches to maximum damping force when taking bends at speed to give the B-Class maximum stability.

Typical Mercedes safety thanks to the sandwich concept

The unique sandwich concept, which achieves wonders where economy of space is concerned, is the centrepiece of the safety concept in the new B-Class. Intelligently arranging the engine and transmission in an inclined position partly in front of and partly beneath the passenger cell makes a greater effective front end length available for crash deformation. During a severe frontal impact the drive unit is not moved backwards towards the interior, but slides downwards along the likewise inclined pedal floor panel. Moreover, the sandwich concept has significant advantages in the event of a lateral collision because the occupants are seated approx. 200 millimetres higher – and therefore above the impact zone. This means that despite its compact exterior dimensions, the B-Class provides the level of occupant safety typically found in a Mercedes.

Adaptive, two-stage front airbags, belt tensioners in the front and on the outer rear seats, adaptive belt force limiters, active head restraints, ISOFIX child seat attachments and newly developed head/thorax sidebags round off the standard occupant protection system.

High-quality materials and extensive standard appointments

The interior appointments likewise correspond to the high standard set by Mercedes-Benz. The design and feel of the interior features complement each other, creating an atmosphere in which the occupants are immediately at ease to enjoy the high level of long-distance comfort. Standard specification includes air conditioning, a four-spoke steering wheel with multifunction buttons, an armrest between the front seats, power windows and tinted glass, plus high-quality trim of brushed aluminium on the centre console, tunnel and door panels.

Mercedes-Benz has grouped further design features which accentuate the sporty, elegant appearance or sporty attributes of the new B-Class into optionally available chrome and sports packages.

High technology from bi-xenon to THERMOTRONIC

High-tech systems from the Mercedes luxury class further enhance comfort and the driving experience in the new Compact Sports Tourer. Optionally available features include THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery and the COMAND APS or Audio 50 APS radio/navigation system.

A newly developed, panoramic louvred sunroof provides the occupants of the new B-Class with an open-air feeling as an optional extra, and in its closed position it also contributes to the light, friendly atmosphere in the interior of the Compact Sport Tourer. The roof aperture is around two thirds larger than that of a conventional sliding roof. A fixed panoramic roof with a grey-tinted, 0.6-square-metre glass panel is optionally available as an alternative to the sliding roof. On request the standard projection-beam headlamps behind their clear lenses can be upgraded with bi-xenon technology, the Active Light System and a cornering light function.

Suspension: Dynamic experience

From the steering to the shock absorbers, from the brakes to the rear axle and from the Electronic Stability Program to the tyres – Mercedes engineers have rigorously tested all the components of the suspension system and employ the latest technology to achieve the best possible handling safety and high performance.

The McPherson strut principle which is so advantageous for front-wheel drive cars has been developed further: while the wheel is normally located by the spring strut, track rod and a camber arm with a transverse stabiliser, the front axle of the new B-Class features additional, rigid wishbones. These carry out the wheel location duties of the transverse stabiliser, which is connected to the spring struts by torsion bars and newly developed rubber bearings. This solution provides better suspension configuration possibilities – especially where elasto-kinematics and ride comfort are concerned – and also allow the castor angle and camber to be adjusted precisely. The wishbones consist of two welded steel shells and are attached to the integral member via large rubber bearings.

The electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering, which is standard equipment in the B-Class, is a new development. Here the steering servo action is produced by an electric motor which does not transfer it hydraulically as before, but directly to the rack-and-pinion steering gear by mechanical means. The technology has a number of convincing advantages: lower weight, more compact dimensions, greater efficiency, a lower energy requirement and the ability to network with the Electronic Stability Program. But the most important benefits are without doubt the additional functions which this up-to-date steering system makes possible:

• The direct steering ratio and great dynamism of the newly developed system ensure particularly precise steering sensitivity. An active self-centring action provides additional help.
• As the electric motor is only switched on when the steering is operated, the system requires less energy than a conventional hydraulic steering system. This makes itself felt in the form of better fuel economy.
• The electromechanical steering operates without hydraulic fluid and is therefore easier to assemble and repair. This technology also benefits the environment, as no fluid needs to be disposed of.

The very safe, space-saving sandwich concept of the B-Class enables the steering gear to be located in front of the wheel centre. This further improves the responsiveness of the steering, which means that the Compact Sports Tourer is not only safe and easy to control, but also provides a high level of driving pleasure by virtue of its light, problem-free handling and safe understeering characteristics.

The steering column consists of an upper steering shaft housed within a jacket tube and a lower, two-piece steering shaft whose sections collapse during a frontal impact and prevent the steering column from penetrating into the interior. The two steering shafts are connected by a universal joint. The driver has various adjustment options for the attractively designed, four-spoke steering wheel (385 millimetres in diameter): pulling up the handle beneath the steering column allows the steering wheel to be infinitely adjusted for height (by +/- 20 millimetres), and adjustment for reach (by +/- 30 millimetres) is also available as an option.

The standard multifunction steering wheel is made from diecast magnesium and has been designed to deform predictably during a crash.

Rear axle: parabolic axle housing with Watt linkage

The rear axle of the B-Class a parabolic axle is a new development and already intriguing by virtue of its designation. It is the result of several years of painstaking development and testing activities by Mercedes engineers, and makes a major contribution to the exemplary handling dynamics and high level of ride comfort in the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The centrepiece of this intelligent design is an axle housing of parabolic shape which replaces conventional control arms and to which the wheels are attached. It is connected to the vehicle body by separately located springs and shock absorbers, the torsion bar stabiliser and a centrally located elastomer bearing. Wheel location and lateral support is provided by a special linkage which is named after the ingenious British inventor James Watt. The two arms of this Watt linkage are attached to the rear of the axle housing, while the middle is connected to the vehicle body by a pivoting coupling.

Precise wheel location and good anti-roll control are the major advantages of this newly developed rear axle. They are particularly noticeable in an innovative vehicle concept such as the new B-Class, whose specific centre of gravity would normally require a rather stiff suspension configuration. Thanks to this special axle technology, the springs and shock absorbers can however be configured much more softly without compromising the outstanding handling dynamics of the new Mercedes compact car. The wheel camber remains constant in any driving situation, which means that especially when negotiating bends, higher lateral forces between the tyres and road surfaces can be transmitted than with a conventional axle. This effect also improves the inherent understeering characteristics of the new B-Class and therefore contributes to the high level of handling safety. Thanks to this innovative axle technology, the precise, sporty handling of the B-Class is maintained even when the vehicle is laden and at the physical limits.

The combination of McPherson technology and a spherical parabolic rear axle allows favourable spring and damper ratios. At the rear axle of the new B-Class, Mercedes-Benz uses coil springs, single-tube shock absorbers and a torsion bar stabiliser. The springs and dampers are separately located. The large elastomer central bearing which connects the axle housing to the body also provides good structure-borne sound insulation and reduces vibrations to a minimum.

Damping system: shock absorber characteristics to suit the driving situation

As a further special feature the suspension system of the new B-Class has an innovative, selective damping system. In an equally simple and ingenious manner this resolves a conflict of aims which has taxed the brains of suspension engineers for a long time: should the shock absorbers tend to be stiffer in the interests of handling safety and dynamic performance, or should their configuration be softer for greater comfort?

Mercedes-Benz meets both requirements with the standard selective damping system. It operates hydro-mechanically and requires no complex sensors or electronics. Understanding the way this works requires a brief excursion into the inside of a modern shock absorber. In a conventional shock absorber, the damping effect is created when the movement of the road wheels causes oil to be squeezed through a valve in the shock absorber piston, with flexible valve discs providing the shock absorber’s resistance characteristics.

In the new selective damping system part of the oil flow is directed through an additional valve housing above the actual damper piston. Inside this there is a control plunger which divides the valve housing into two areas.

• When the shock absorber is subjected to only small movements, i.e. during normal driving, the control plunger is in a central position and holds open a bypass duct which allows part of the oil flow to pass through the piston journal. This oil flows past the damper valve, reducing the overall resistance of the shock absorber. This produces “softer” shock absorber characteristics for a high level of ride comfort.
• If the shock absorber is subjected to more abrupt movements – for example when taking bends at speed or during evasive manoeuvres – the oil pushes the control plunger in the valve housing upwards or downwards, automatically closing the bypass duct. As a result the full damping effect becomes available and the Mercedes-Benz B-Class is stabilised to the maximum.

Brakes: internally ventilated front disc brakes

As a further contribution to handling safety and accident prevention, Mercedes-Benz equips the B-Class with disc brakes all-round. Brake lining wear is monitored by a sensor in the right brake calliper, whose signals are constantly evaluated. Once the lining thickness is about to reach a critical value, an indicator lamp lights up in the dashboard.

ESP®: latest generation with STEER CONTROL

The latest generation of the Electronic Stability Program ESP® excels with even more precise and finely metered control intervention. It is standard equipment in the new B-Class, and its control unit also combines the functions of the anti-lock braking system, acceleration skid control and Brake Assist.

Moreover, the highly efficient ESP® technology of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class has great potential for new functions. One of these is the STEER CONTROL steering assistance system. This operates in tandem with the electromechanical power steering system, providing the appropriate servo assistance in critical handling situations to help the driver stabilise the vehicle. This auxiliary system intervenes for instance when the vehicle oversteers and the driver wishes to stabilise the B Class by counter-steering. When braking on road surfaces offering less grip on one side than the other the new, additional ESP® function also helps with steering corrections and provides the driver with better road contact.

Electronic networking of the steering, engine and the Electronic Stability Program creates the conditions for STEER CONTROL. When oversteering, for example, the individual control units exchange information about the steering angle, vehicle speed and yaw rate within fractions of a second, enabling the ESP® computer to calculate the steering effort required for the relevant situation. The electric servo unit then carries out the corresponding command. For steering corrections during braking, information from the wheel rotation sensors on the wheels is also included in the calculation.

Another new, additional function of the Electronic Stability Program is a system which warns the driver of any significant loss of tyre pressure. For this purpose ESP® uses sensor information about the wheel rotation speeds, which are mainly a function of the vehicle speed, load and tyre pressure. As the Stability Program continuously registers and compares the wheel rotation speeds, it is able to detect any significant deviations.

In addition the control unit automatically monitors other dynamic parameters such as the lateral acceleration, yaw rate and wheel torque in order to diagnose any pressure loss in a tyre reliably, though this system does not measure the actual air pressure in each tyre. If a los