Topic: 2012 (Euro) Mercedes-Benz B-Class World Premiere

[JSCC]

2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class World Premiere
The world premiere of the new B-Class will take place at the Frankfurt International Motor Show September 13 to the 25, 2011

http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/mercedes-benz/b-class/2012-mercedes-benz-b-class-world-premiere/

[JSCC]

Interior looks really nice, but the exterior doesn't seem sporty enough for me, even with a longer and lower body compared to last generation.

Hope the A-Class will be more sporty, but if it isn't coming to Canada then it wouldn't really matter.

[aquadorhj]

the interior looks pretty good.  outside, not so much.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I'm happy it's still very upright and space efficient. It's the primary reason these things have sold so well, and it's what has made them so unique. The interior richening is certainly welcome, as are powertrain enhancements. This thing would be great with a d---- BlueTec.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Much better interior. Exterior doesn't look as awkward as the outgoing one. I guess that means I like it. 

[Ice]

It still looks a bit awkward in pictures... but I suppose the space efficient part of the design is a good thing. The concept had me believing they were going to do a very different car but this looks like an update of the old one.

Interior looks really nice at least.

[EV Dan]

Oh the metal torture 

I like it better than the outgoing model but I wonder why car makers need to copy one another and do these silly creases on the doors and panels. How shopping cart and kickin' doors friendly are they? From the car ownership experience I much prefer these:


Looks like what I had. You absolutely could NOT dent those doors.

[Ice]

Oh the metal torture 

I like it better than the outgoing model but I wonder why car makers need to copy one another and do these silly creases on the doors and panels. How shopping cart and kickin' doors friendly are they? From the car ownership experience I much prefer these:


Looks like what I had. You absolutely could NOT dent those doors.

You may not be able to dent those doors...but look what you have to put up with in terms of styling

[EV Dan]

Well, what do you guys want from a 15 y.o. beater? Still using those curved creases is a questionable design move to begin with and a PITA to keep the car dent free.

[Ice]

Well, what do you guys want from a 15 y.o. beater? Still using those curved creases is a questionable design move to begin with and a PITA to keep the car dent free.

My parents old Intrepid had slightly more stylish protectors but that didn't stop it from accumulating various door dents and dings just above the protector. And we were careful with where we parked it. So I don't really understand how the angled sheet metal is going to fare any worse than my parents old Intrepid.

I find on my Corolla some of the dings are hidden by the cars creased angles although they are certainly more subdued than on this and other examples.

[EV Dan]

Well, what do you guys want from a 15 y.o. beater? Still using those curved creases is a questionable design move to begin with and a PITA to keep the car dent free.

My parents old Intrepid had slightly more stylish protectors but that didn't stop it from accumulating various door dents and dings just above the protector. And we were careful with where we parked it. So I don't really understand how the angled sheet metal is going to fare any worse than my parents old Intrepid.

I find on my Corolla some of the dings are hidden by the cars creased angles although they are certainly more subdued than on this and other examples.

It's physics. If a flat door is hit by another car's opening door, the impact will spread along a few inches of the contact. If the same door hits an angled crease of metal then the impact is applied to a few millimeters of the contact area. I will avoid such design innovations if I can.