Autoblog

Click above to view the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class in hi-res

When, exactly, was it decided that blue would be the new color for hi-tech? Because I wasn't invited or even informed. And it's not just the color, it's right there in the name, so even the colorblind can get on board. With our phones connecting by Bluetooth and our movies coming on Blue-Ray, Mercedes labels their clean diesels as BLUETEC and has now come out with something called BlueEFFICIENCY. What the heck is BlueEFFICIENCY, you ask, and why is it half in caps like it's screaming? Well we can't answer the second part, but as far as we can tell, the name is being applied to Mercedes-Benz' latest blue-green powertrain, running on compressed natural gas and featuring start-stop functionality.

The CNG engine is found in the new Mercedes-Benz B170 NGT BlueEfficiency (yeah, we're done with the all-caps), the headline model on the newly facelifted Mercedes B-Class. The updated B, which succeeds the model that has been on the market for three years now, benefits from a redesigned front end – encompassing a new grille, front bumper and hood – plus new taillights, rear bumper and an updated interior. A new variety of wheels are available as well, while the wing mirrors, door handles and door sills are now painted to match the body color. In addition to the CNG-burning B170 NGT BlueEfficiency (which, by the way, can also run on gasoline), the revised B-Class is available with a range of engines including two turbodiesels and four gasoline motors topped by the 193hp B200 Turbo.

The facelift should hold the B-Class until Mercedes replaces it altogether, but since it's still not available in the United States, you'll have to head north to Canada or overseas to see one in person. If you don't have enough airmiles with JetBlue, though, you can just check out the press release after the jump and the gallery below.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

According to the latest reports, Mercedes has finally realized why its A-Class and B-Class compacts haven't been doing so well: they're boring, overpriced and underpowered... and that's a losing combination. So for the next generation of the two model lines that's expected around 2011, Mercedes is reportedly preparing to turn up the volume.

Although the next-gen baby Benzes will reportedly stick with front-wheel-drive, they'll sit lower to the ground – and save production costs – by ditching the expensive current models' sandwich platform. Whereas the 193-hp 2-liter turbo is currently the most powerful engine offered between the two related models, sources indicate that the top engine could offer as much as 230 hp, possibly sourced from BMW off all companies whose 1-Series Mercedes hopes to target with the sportier new A and B-Classes. Meanwhile, reports also suggest that competition from the up!coming Volkswagen models could compel parent company Daimler to bring back the previously slow-selling and subsequently discontinued Smart ForFour.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Motor Authority]