TEST DRIVE THE MERCEDES-BENZ B-CLASS
IT’S NO COINCIDENCE THAT SHORTLY AFTER BMW INTRODUCE THEIR ALL ELECTRIC SMALL CAR THE I3, MERCEDES-BENZ INTRODUCE THEIR COMPETITIVE MODEL. THIS IS THE ZERO EMISSION, ZERO COMPROMISE MERCEDES-BENZ B CLASS.
THE BMW I3 CAN BE SEEN AS A DESIGN STATEMENT BUT MERCEDES WENT A DIFFERENT DIRECTION WITH THE B- CLASS. THEY WANTED TO MAKE IT USABLE WHILE MEETING ALL OF THE OTHER BENEFITS THAT MAKE ELECTRIC DRIVING APPEALING TO THOSE LOOKING FOR A GREENER TRANSPORTATION OPTION.
I HAVE TO ADMIT AFTER SPENDING A DAY DRIVING THE NEW B-CLASS UP AND DOWN SILICON VALLEY IT’S LIVELY AND EFFORTLESS DRIVE AND HAS A DRIVING RANGE OF AROUND 85 MILES BEFORE IT NEEDS TO RECHARGE. 0 TO 60 IN 7.9 SECONDS AND 177 HORSEPOWER UNDER THE HOOD THE B-CLASS IS NOT SOME SLUG IN THE DIAMOND LANE.
USUALLY ELECTRIC CARS A VERY SMALL AND HAVE CONFINED SPACE. THE BATTERY TAKES UP A LARGE SEGMENT IN THE TRUNK, BUT THROUGH SOME CLEVER DESIGN ELEMENTS THE BATTERY IS HIDDEN IN THE B-CLASS WHICH LEAVES A LARGE TRUNK SPACE. JOHNNY’S SOCCER GEAR AND SALLY’S SOFTBALL KIT ONLY TAKE UP FRACTIONS OF THE TRUNK. IN A COMPETITOR THEY MIGHT JUST FILL THE ENTIRE TRUNK.
SOME ELECTRIC CARS CAN BE INCREDIBLY UGLY, AND MERCEDES WAS CONSCIOUS TO MAKE THE B-CLASS WITH AESTHETIC APPEAL.
