"The new B-Class is the first model of a completely new generation of compact vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. It sets clear benchmarks in two fields which are crucial to efficiency – aerodynamics and the drive system," explains Professor Dr Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler AG. "The high level of environmental compatibility goes beyond reductions in fuel consumption, as the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062 now confirms."
Mercedes-Benz analyses the environmental compatibility of its models throughout their entire life cycle – from production through their long years of service to recycling at the end of their lives. This analysis goes far beyond the legal requirements. The Environmental Certificate and supplementary information are made available to the public in the "Life Cycle" documentation series, which can be found at http://www.mercedes-benz.com
Over the entire life cycle of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class – from production and service over 160,000 kilometres to recycling – the new model in the guise of the B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY with 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission causes 16 percent less CO2 emissions than its predecessor when the latter was discontinued in 2011. The energy balance shows a similarly positive picture, with primary energy consumption over the vehicle's entire life cycle cut by 14 percent in comparison to its predecessor. This corresponds to the energy content of around 2400 litres of petrol.
The marked reductions in fuel consumption represent a substantial contributory factor here. By way of example, the fuel consumption of the B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol model with dual clutch transmission ranges – depending on the fitted tyres – from 5.9 to 6.2 l/100 km in comparison to 7.3 to 7.5 l/100 km for its predecessor (at the time of its discontinuation in 2011). This corresponds to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption of up to 19 percent. These fuel savings are ensured by an intelligent package of measures – the so-called BlueEFFICIENCY technologies. These include optimisation measures in the area of the powertrain, energy management, aerodynamics, tyres optimised for minimum rolling resistance, weight reduction through lightweight construction and driver information to encourage an energy-saving style of driving. An outstanding drag coefficient of Cd = 0.26 places the new B-Class at the forefront of its market segment.
The B-Class already meets the recycling rate of 95 percent by weight which will be mandatory as of 1 January 2015. In all, the B-Class incorporates 75 components representing a total weight of 39 kilograms which can be produced with the partial use of high-quality recycled plastics. This results in a 13 percent increase in the weight of approved recycled components in comparison to the previous model. Typical areas of use are wheel arch linings, cable ducts and underbody panels, which consist for the most part of polypropylene.
There is also an increased emphasis on closed automobile materials cycles: a recyclate is used for the front wheel arch linings, for example, which is produced from reprocessed vehicle components such as starter battery housings, bumper panels from the Mercedes-Benz Recycling System (MeRSy) and production waste from cockpit units.
21 components in the B-Class, representing a total weight of 20 kilograms, are produced using natural materials – an increase of 29 percent over the previous model. Natural materials employed in series production of the new B-Class consist primarily of coconut and wood fibres and honeycomb cardboard in combination with various polymer materials.
The modular body-in-white concept means that the B-Class is designed to accommodate versions with an alternative drive: appropriate interfaces in the body shell enable the main floor panel to be modified and a step to be produced for the "ENERGY SPACE" on the versions with alternative drive. An underfloor compartment covering part of the area under the rear bench seat offers space for alternative energy accumulators.