}} The first-generation B-Class was introduced in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world in early 2005, and in Canada in late 2005. It was marketed globally except in the United States, where it was unable to price match the vehicle for profit. The B-Class uses
front-wheel drive with sandwich floor construction, parabolic rear suspension, and a
two-box design — one for the
drivetrain and another for the shared passenger and luggage compartment. The B-Class maximises its interior volume via its height. Having derived from the smaller A-Class, it retained that car's sandwich floor concept. All models included passive
automobile safety systems including
ESP,
ABS,
traction control, cornering lights, active lighting system, and headlamp assist. In the event of a frontal impact the engine and transmission slide beneath the passenger compartment. In 2008, it was updated with a
start-stop system and a BlueEFFICIENCY option. A new NGT variant was added, which could burn either petrol or
natural gas. In 2011, Mercedes-Benz did a world tour with three of its
Mercedes-Benz F-Cell vehicles, one of which was the B-Class. The
hydrogen-powered
fuel cell vehicle was driven more than 30,000 kilometres in a circumnavigation of the globe, starting and ending in
Stuttgart.
Pre-facelift File:2007 Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI (W 245 MY07) hatchback (2010-06-17) 01.jpg|Pre-facelift (front) File:2007 Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI (W 245 MY07) hatchback (2010-06-17) 02.jpg|Pre-facelift (rear)
Facelift File:2009 Mercedes-Benz B180 Sport CDI Automatic 2.0 Front.jpg|Facelift (front) File:2009 Mercedes-Benz B180 Sport CDI Automatic 2.0 Rear.jpg|Facelift (rear) File:2010 Mercedes-Benz B 200 (W 245 MY11) hatchback (2010-10-16).jpg|Interior (facelift)
Engines The B160 and B180 conform to
Euro V emission standards. The rest of the engines conform to
Euro IV emission standards. A
diesel particulate filter is available as an option for the diesel units (this reduces about 99% of the particle emissions, without the need for additives).
Specifications Safety == Second generation (W246; 2011) ==