Mercedes-Benz Malaysia followed up on its triple launch early in the year with a double act recently: This time the newbies are the latest B and M-Class models, the B200 and ML350.
You could say they are two of a kind as the B200 has a more idyllic personna while the ML350 is more outgoing with its SUV trappings.
Again, the launch was done during a drive to Penang, with old and new models provided in the mix of vehicles to allow a comparison of sorts.
The second-generation B200 is of greater interest as it sells in far higher volumes than the ML350, and the big step is that it has evolved from a ladies’ MPV to a more exciting one to drive.
It has not changed much in body styling, retaining much of its outline with key changes here and there, but it comes with a new 1.6-litre BlueEFFICIENCY engine with mild pressure turbo.
If you had despaired before in the lack of oomph on kickdown, the new B200 will give you reasons to smile with a strong speed build-up.
While it has gone from a floor shift system to a column shift design to select the drive modes, similar to that adopted on the M-Class, it’s simpler to use, but may not be as sporty as some would prefer.
That’s where the steering wheel paddle shifts come in nicely.
Put against the previous 1.7-litre, the mild turbo 1.6 delivers a lot more at 156bhp from 115bhp before, as well as higher torque at 250Nm (from 155Nm) that is spread across a wider engine speed range.
It, thus, earned its B200 name by virtue of the power it puts out, which is equivalent to what a 2.0-litre engine would produce.
The transmission is now a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic where it used to be a continuously variable unit (CVT).
The new B200 has put on weight having grown slightly longer and wider, gaining 95kg at 1,425 (kerb weight).
We felt the added weight when cruising on the highway with three adults on board, with engine speed at 2,100rpm around 110-120kph. Although maximum torque kicks in early from 1,250rpm, the pace was wanting, especially in going up inclines.
We had to ease on the accelerator pedal to maintain speed, or switch to S (Sport) mode, raising engine revs by 500rpm and getting more horses into play.
When we floored the pedal, the engine responded almost immediately as the B200 pulled quickly away to above 160kph: It can do 220kph which we didn’t explore.
While the good aerodynamics resulted in a quiet ride with low air turbulence, the same couldn’t be said of the intrusive high road roar: Thicker bushings at the suspension mounting points should make highway travel more pleasant.
Relocating the gearshift to the steering column has freed up space on the centre console for cupholders and other things.
Selecting seat positions electrically is now done via seat rather than door controls in the old. A new feature is the radar-based Collision Prevention Assist.
When we approached a vehicle some five metres in front, a warning signal lit up on the instrument panel. When we got closer, a warning beep sounded, by which time Brake Assist was primed to apply the brakes if the warning went unheeded.
The new B200 is priced at RM220,888 on the road with insurance, about RM5,000 more than the previous B180.
Meanwhile, the new M-Class appears as more of a facelift than a new model: new headlights and rear combination lights, wider grille, and restyled front bumper.
There are significant changes under the skin. The rear track is wider, it is longer and wider in body dimensions, and it has a higher ground clearance.
It also comes with the new BlueEFFICIENCY V6 3.5-litre engine that delivers more at 306bhp from 272bhp previously and higher torque of 370Nm from 350Nm.
The transmission remains a seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus unit for the permanent four-wheel drive system called 4Matic.
With a slightly lighter kerb weight, the new ML350 accelerates to 100kph quicker at 7.6 seconds (from 8.4 previously) and a higher top speed of 235kph (225kph).
What we could establish was that by toeing legal highway speeds, we made it to Penang on less than half a tank, lending weight to the claim of 11.7km/l on average.
Keeping engine speed to about 2,000rpm helped, and we didn’t feel the lack of torque at 110-120kph.
The ML350 picked up speed readily when we eased on the accelerator. Road roar was not as loud as the B200, but it could be subdued further.
Cruising around Penang, the ride was smooth as silk, except for the hard thuds over road ruts and bumps. As with the old ML, we could adjust damping action for the air suspension .
We found it best to select harder ride setting on Penang’s windies as we could take the new ML350 through corners a bit quicker with less body roll and tyre squeal.
The new ML350 AMG Sport Edition goes for RM570,888, an increase of RM15,000 from the previous variant.