2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Teased With New Images And Details

Mercedes-Benz has today released new teaser images and technical details for its upcoming and all-new 2012 B-Class.

The news follows the surfacing last month of a mystery photo that revealed the completely undisgused rear-end of the new small MPV, featuring Mercedes' new elongated tail-lights and sharp swooping character lines.

Among these latest teaser images is a blacked-out look at the profile of the new B-Class, along with a group of technical illustrations that reveal some of the new model's components and systems.

Moving the new model even further away from its former platform-mate, the A-Class - which gets an all-new architecture for 2012 - the new B-Class is built on a stretched version of the current model's underpinnings.

It measures 4359mm long and 1786mm wide - an increase of 89mm and 9mm respectively. Height has fallen by 43mm however, now measuring 1557mm.

Internationally, the 2012 B-Class will be offered with a range of new direct-injected petrol and diesel engines. On the petrol front, two versions of a 1.6 litre engine will be offered, producing 90kW/200Nm and 115kW/250Nm. 

Diesel engines will include a 80kW/250Nm 1.8 litre engine and a 100kW/300Nm version of the same engine. A 2.0 litre diesel is also slated to join the range, with details to be released closer to launch.

All engines for the new B-Class will be paired with start/stop technology, and transmissions will include a six-speed manual or Mercedes' updated 7G Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.

More details are expected to be revealed when the 2012 B-Class makes its global debut at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Australia

The new B-Class is expected to make its Australian debut in the second quarter of next year, with specification and pricing details to be revealed closer to launch.