A-Class, B-Class W169 (A-Class) Currently in Production (2005 -
W245 (B-Class) Currently in Production (2005 - | | Notices | Welcome to German Car Zone.
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-01-2007, 07:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cawimmer430 It wouldn't work. FWD with so much power just doesn't mix. They'd have to modify the B-Class for a RWD layout and that will cost too much money - and the market for an AMG B-Class is practically non-existant. Most customers are happy with the B200 Turbo. I've driven that and it's wickedly fast, despite the torque steer.  | wimmer, i know that. B AMG is what i'd like to see, but i know it won't happen. There is AMG package for B, right? Quote:
Originally Posted by cawimmer430 And the A-Class isn't crappy. The old one was, the new one isn't.  | Yes, it is.  ...
Btw, maybe a stupid question, but on which platform(s) the A and B are made and WHY MB made a FWD car???  | | | | | The Photo Phanatic
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-01-2007, 07:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TycoonGTR wimmer, i know that. B AMG is what i'd like to see, but i know it won't happen. There is AMG package for B, right? |
There is no AMG package for the B-Class. There is a sports package that makes the exterior look more dynamic and you can order AMG rims for it, just like on the A-Class. B-Class with sport package Regular B-Class: Quote:
Originally Posted by TycoonGTR
Btw, maybe a stupid question, but on which platform(s) the A and B are made and WHY MB made a FWD car???  | The B-Class uses the A-Class platform. The A-Class platform was specifically created for, well, the A-Class.
It's FWD because of weight-saving issues and because the A or B-Class aren't supposed to be sporty cars in the purist sense (RWD, 50-50 weight balance etc.).
I'd take an A-Class over a B-Class because you can throw the little A-Class around like a maniac and it actually copes wonderfully! The B-Class on the other hand has a really soft suspension and vague steering and doesn't feel sporty at all.  | | | | | The Following User Says Thank You to cawimmer430 For This Useful Post: | | | GCZ's High Court
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-01-2007, 07:57 AM
| | | | | The Photo Phanatic
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-01-2007, 07:59 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TycoonGTR Yummy!
Thanks for the replies, wimmer!  | Anytime. I like that red one too.  | | | | | Aficionado
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-01-2007, 08:05 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cawimmer430 The B-Class uses the A-Class platform. The A-Class platform was specifically created for, well, the A-Class.
It's FWD because of weight-saving issues and because the A or B-Class aren't supposed to be sporty cars in the purist sense (RWD, 50-50 weight balance etc.). |
FWD is a space saving arhitecture vs. front/front midship and mid-rear RWD architectures.
The only other way to save space like that would be the Bettle Rear RWD architecture. | | | | | The Following User Says Thank You to Imhotep Evil For This Useful Post: | | | Junior Member
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-26-2007, 03:25 PM
The B-Class is a huge seller here in Toronto, Canada. I see them all the time. Many people always wanted a Benz but jus couldnt afford it and now with the B class being affordable, I think those people who always wanted to purchase a benz but couldnt, now can. The B-class is very roomy inside and I believe it can survive in the states. People there need to give cars like this a chance, great cars with good fuel economy. If the yaris, fit and smart can make it stateside, I believe the B-class can also make it. Americans need to get over huge gas guzzler vehicles and start thinking about the environment.
nothing wrong with choices.
and c sportcoupe wasnt thaaaaaaat bad, like the worse had to be that disgusting Pontiac Aztec. Thats eww | | | | | Contributor
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-27-2007, 01:28 AM
All of that would be no problem if it weren't a Benz. Mercedes in the U.S. stands for the E,S,SL,CL, etc, not the A/B, they would flop here and likely be laughed out of the market. Now bringing in the A or B rebadged as a Smart would make great sense, but not as a MB.
M | | | | | Contributor
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
07-26-2007, 12:22 AM
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Mercedes engineers are working on a new B-class model that will likely be sold in the US for the first time, and which could be on the market by 2011. Prototypes are currently being developed to meet strict North American regulatory requirements according to Mercedes’ US Chief Ernst Lieb, who also revealed that earlier plans to import the current model were scrapped because of poor exchange rates.
By designing the new B-class in line with US regulations it leaves the door open for the eventual launch of the car in the US, but “the decision will probably be done in two or three years” Lieb told reporters from Bloomberg.
The major factor holding it back is the poor state of the US dollar. Since the car is manufactured at DaimlerChrysler’s Rastatt plant in Germany, importing it to the US may price it out of the segment. The next-gen B-class is expected to spawn several variants in addition to the original MPV version, including a new sports hatch and a roadster. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER | | | | | The Following User Says Thank You to Bartek Sikorski For This Useful Post: | | | Junior Member
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-24-2008, 06:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merc1 I doubt the B-Class will ever come to the U.S. at least I hope it doesn't. I don't know what it would compete with. I think they'd like too, but Mercedes needs to concentrate on premium products, not trying to set the sales charts afire with cheapo models like the B-Class, IMO.
M | It is not a cheapo car...here is my California B 200 turbo | | | | | The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to CA-B200 For This Useful Post: | | | Contributor
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| Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? -
02-24-2008, 04:50 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by CA-B200 It is not a cheapo car...here is my California B 200 turbo | Nice, welcome. That said, the B-Class doesn't fit the MB image in the U.S. Mercedes-Benz doesn't do "inexpensive" well and the B-Class would be a poor value in the U.S. vs other cheaper, but similarly sized cars.
M | | | | | The Following User Says Thank You to Merc1 For This Useful Post: | | |