Filed under:
Europe,
Technology,
Hatchback,
Mercedes-Benz,
Rumormill
Mercedes-Benz B-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery
A few details have surfaced surrounding the upcoming new
Mercedes-Benz B-Class. According to
Autocar, the Silver Arrow is cooking up something special for the hatchback's platform. In addition to being able to build the tall-roof B-Class on the new bones, the MFA structure will also serve as host for a sleeker
Audi A3-style creation. Sharing chassis points between models is nothing new, but
Autocar sites Jorg Prigl, the head of development for the
A-Class, B-Class and
Smart, as saying that it's the architecture's versatility that makes it noteworthy. In addition to being built to house a number of internal-combustion powerplants, Prigl says that the MFA platform is also made to accommodate any number of alternative power solutions.
That includes space for a battery pack, a fuel cell, hydrogen or compressed natural gas tanks. From the sounds of things, Mercedes-Benz is planning to make the new B-Class as light on its feet as possible when it comes to alternative energy drivetrains.
Autocar says that the platform is so unique that Mercedes-Benz is seeking to patent the design. That patent may be unveiled as soon as late January of 2011. Sadly, there is no additional word on whether the B-Class will make it to U.S. dealers, but
last we heard, the model will make it to our market along with a companion crossover.
Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class
[Source:
Autocar]
Rumormill: New details on next Mercedes B-Class leak out... is it U.S. bound? originally appeared on
Autoblog on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our
terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |
Email this |
Comments
More...
Autoblog
10-21-2010 02:32 PM