Eleven years after launch and with over two-million on the road, the Mercedes-Benz A and B Class is undergoing significant changes and goes on sale 17 July.

Visually refreshed inside and out to reflect equipment changes led by demand from buyers, the important developments are under the unique “sandwich” floor where the powertrain has been developed to improve economy and emissions. 

The new look and feel to the A & B Class comes on the back of higher sales in the last 12 months as buyers turn to the MB star for a guide in a world market where sales have lost their way due to depreciation and financial insecurity.
Worldwide sales of A & B Class rose 18pc in the last 12 months and in April were up 22pc on a year ago, with a noticeable proportion of those being existing MB owners moving from other models in the brand.
MB product manager for the two ranges, Natanael Sijanta, said, “We have made improvements for our model facelift to make life even more pleasant with our two premium compacts.
“We have made them safer and more comfortable, and also given them new economical drive technologies into the bargain.”
They are the first compact cars to receive environmental certificates for their manufacture and whole-life operation.

The new A-Class comes in between £14,190 and £18,640, which means they are the same as the outgoing series. Blue Efficiency versions will arrive in showrooms in autumn.
After its launch in 1998, the best selling year was 2001 with over 16,600 registered in the UK and the currently best selling model is the A150 5dr in Classic SE trim and 70pc of total registrations come with petrol engines, but there is only a slight bias towards manual transmission.

Predominantly, the A-Class is bought privately and it’s the best selling MB to ladies. Classic, Sport and Turbo have been dropped.
Manual versions now come with hill hold assist which momentarily prevents it rolling back on a slope as the driver’s foot moves from brake to accelerator. Another feature of the new version is that during hard emergency braking the rear lights pulsate to draw more attention to the slowing vehicle and after an impact the interior lights illuminate to help occupants.
Telephony includes standard Bluetooth connectivity for hands free phone use through the on-board systems. First seen on larger models, the Active Park Assist feature will be available to self-park the car in a suitable gap as a £550 option.
In the autumn MB will start introducing an Eco stop/ start function to the powertrain and there will be a super economical A 160 added.
Externally, the latest A-Class is distinguished by new grille, headlamps and bumper incorporating integral fog lights, larger door mirrors, body-coloured handles and rubbing strip, new tailgate, rear lights, bumpers and exhaust. A stubby aerial and new wheels are fitted.
Inside there is new trim and colour availability, multi-function wheel, improved sound system, modified window and air conditioning and improved safety features.
Depending on trim level the series has more leather, wood and bright trim and lumbar support features to the seats. Top versions have enhanced “teckie” appearance in dark finishes with contrasting chrome elements.
Four cylinder petrol models include 95hp 1500cc with five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission and 116hp 1705cc engines with manual or cvt boxes.  They all do over 40mpg and depending on engine they take between 11 and 13.5sec to hit 62mph with top speed ranging from 106 to 117mph.
For the 2.0 diesels there are five and six speed manual gearboxes and cvt choices with 82 or 109hp outputs and economy ranges between 52 and 58mpg.
Maximum speed is 102 to 116 mph and sub-11 to 15.3sec to reach 62mph.

On the road in A180CDI and A 200CDI versions, I felt they handled sharply in the manner of sporting versions despite both being the SE grade. Both felt much more firmly sprung than the larger B-Class and some city streets were a tough test of the suspension which could be heard furiously working away underneath.
They were agile and easily kept up with traffic flow between lights.

The latest B-Class is priced from £18,840 to £22,540, a modest £150 increase across the series, and it will grow further in September after the highly economical petrol injection technology Blue Efficiency models join.
UK sales since introduction in 2005 have exceeded 14,500 in April and the B180CDI was the best seller with 35.8pc of registrations last year while the petro B 150 took over a quarter.

Most UK buyers ordered the SE so the previous Standard and Turbo models have been dropped and replaced by enhanced SE and Sport versions, notably including a panoramic roof on SE and sports pack standard on the new Sport.
Historically diesels have taken 54pc of registrations, with nearly 70pc being automatic and 68pc were bought privately, 40pc of who are over 56 years.
The new range comprises 95hp B 150 and 116hp B170 petrol models in both trim levels alongside 109hp B180 and 140hp B 200 CDI versions, again with selection of manual five speed or six- peed boxes as well as cvt.
The 1.5 and 1.7 litre petrol models on average return 40-43mpg depending on trim and transmission with acceleration to 62mph varying from 11.3 – 14.2sec and maximum speed ranges between 104 and 114mph.
With the six speed and cvt 2.0 litre diesels you get fuel figures ranging from 47 to 54mpg, top speed from 111 – 124mph and 0-62mph takes between 11.8 and 9.6sec.
Like its stablemate, the B-Class gets new nose and tail treatments but it also incorporates a new larger bonnet and that fixed glass roof while interior is overhauled with new fabrics and finishing elements and upgraded sound and air conditioning systems.
Buyers can also go for the SE comfort suspension or Sports springing settings, which lower the ride height by 10mm.

Again, despite being just one trim level to test, the SE, the B 200CDI and B180CDI felt remarkably different in handling and ride. The larger version was more inclined to roll around bends while its sister model seemed less inclined to incline itself and perhaps the difference could be down to alternative wheels and different and softer tyres on the respective models.
The B 200 CDI was fairly brisk and stable at speed with low mechanical noise level but noticeable road noise came into the cabin.
The seemingly more firmly sprung B 180CDI driven afterwards was livelier but did not sound as noisy to my ears, so again it may be the result of different tyres and sized wheels. It does, however, mean that anyone contemplating buying one type should test drive another to satisfy themselves with their choice.

"With their updated looks, enhanced equipment and greater safety as well as improved lower emission levels, the MB A and B-Class is expected to strengthen the marque’s reputation for strong residual values at a time when prices and value for money are coming to dominate the market." 

 - ROBIN ROBERTS