2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Compact Tourer & M-Class SUV Launched In Malaysia

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has launched two all-new models at once: the 2012 second-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class compact sports tourer for RM 220,888, and the third-generation of the world's best-selling premium large SUV, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class priced at RM 570,888. (Prices are on-the-road without insurance.) Both cars were launched before the start of the media drive to Penang early yesterday (the media drive stories will follow shortly).

The first to be based on Mercedes-Benz's MFA FWD platform, the all-new B-Class is offered in the form of the B200, which draws upon a BlueDirect 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine—given a boost by direct injection, turbocharging and an auto stop/start system—with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox placed in charge of best-utilising the 156 HP and 250 Nm on tap.

Longer, wider and lower than the just-replaced B-Class, the all-new B-Class has been re-engineered to be more spacious than before. By quite a margin apparently: Mercedes-Benz promises amounts of headroom and rear legroom that rival that of its flagship sedan, the S-Class. Moreover, the boot capacity is a very generous 666 litres, an increase of 121 litres.

The B-Class is said to be equipped with the highest safety standard ever available in its segment, and that can be credited to a number of prominent features: a segment first radar-based collision warning system that automatically applies the required brake pressure to avoid an imminent rear-end collision; the Collision Prevention Assist that visually and acoustically warns a possibly distracted driver of surrounding obstacles; Attention Assist that uses sensors to detect a driver's fatigue level based mainly on steering wheel movements; and also automatic child seat recognition and window-bags installed behind for the maximum rear safety.

The new-generation M-Class goes on with the same focus on comfort and spaciousness as the previous M-Class, but this time with a twist: the all-new model is on average 25 percent more economical than before. In Malaysia, the M-Class is available as the ML 350 4MATIC, with 306 HP and 370 Nm coming from a BlueDirect 3.5-litre V6 direct-injected engine. A seven-speed automatic gearbox paired to a permanent 4WD setup completes the drivetrain.

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Gallery (23 Photos)