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15 · Wednesday, June 2, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com $ 8 OFF any oil change package Coupon required. Expiry: June 30, 2010 Code: 5582 345 Speers Rd. (at Dorval), Oakville 905-842-9299 Valid at all GTA locations. B200 Turbo is both sporty and roomy for a small car By Lorne Drury Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine When you're talking entry-level cars, you're not normally looking at something priced in the high twenties. But when it's a Mercedes-Benz, their entry point in Canada (aside from the smart car) is the B200 Sports Tourer, starting at $29,900. Add in a turbo package and the price jumps to $32,400, so it doesn't take long for the price to top the $37k mark as it did with my recent test car. And while that's certainly not inexpensive transportation, the B200 is a pretty impressive vehicle for a starter car in any brand. It combines the best of many worlds with good performance, decent fuel economy and a roomy interior along with attractive exterior and interior design. In short, the B-Class offers versatility and an upscale look all in a neat little package. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine, the B200 Turbo produces 193 hp and 206 lb/ft of torque. This compares with 134 hp and 136 lb/ft for the base level 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine. The B200 is front-wheel drive, the only front-driver in the Mercedes-Benz fleet. On the road, the Turbo boasts impressive acceleration numbers, doing the 0-100 km/h run in 7.6 seconds. In contrast, the base 2.0litre takes10.1 seconds, according to Mercedes-Benz numbers. If it fits your budget, spend the extra $2,500 and go for the Turbo-- I don't think you'll be disappointed. Fuel economy doesn't suffer much with Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings of 9.5L/100 km (30 mpg) city and 7.4L/100 km (38 mpg) for the Turbo CVT Mercedes-Benz B200 Turbo At A Glance: BODY STYLE: four-door hatchback. DRIVE METHOD: front engine, frontwheel drive. ENGINE: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder (134 hp, 136 lb/ft of torque), 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (193 hp, 206 lb/ft of torque). FUEL ECONOMY: 2.0-litre manual 9.2L/100 km/6.7L/100 km, automatic 9.2/7.2; 2.0-litre Turbo manual 10.2/6.9, automatic 9.5/7.4. PRICE: $29,900 to $32,400. As tested $37,015. WEB SITE: www.mercedes-benz.ca Mercedes-Benz calls its B200 entry-level hatchback a `Sports Tourer', but whatever you call it, it's a practical little runabout that's easy to drive and generous on interior space for a small car. It is available with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine or the 2.0-litre turbo, making 196 hp and 206 lb/ft or torque. compared with 9.2/7.2 with the non-turbo CVT model. A five- or six-speed manual transmission is standard, but my tester had the Autotronic continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. It shifts smoothly but as with all CVTs produces a bit of a whine when you wind it out. For those not familiar with CVTs, they use pulleys and sliding discs instead of gears that you get in conventional transmissions. It means the transmission shifts smoothly with no lags in power and at the same time helps to conserve fuel because the engine always operates in the optimum engine-speed range. The B-Series came to Canada in 2005 (it is not sold in the U.S.) and was refreshed in 2008. Another redesign is planned for 2012 with the new model on the market in 2011, industry insiders suggest. Mercedes calls the B200 a Sports Tourer, but it's really a small wagon or crossover. The closest competitor is probably the Mazda5, but it is not in the same luxury category. The Audi A3 and MINI Cooper Clubman would also be in the mix and both of these are premium compact hatchbacks. While the price of fuel has stabilized in the short term, it's only a matter of time before the price of oil starts creeping up again. Then, we'll likely see the compact and sub-compact market with cars like the B200 heating up again and making up an even bigger slice of the automotive pie as drivers dump their SUVs and downsize. The B200 is tall at 1,604 mm (63.1 in) for a vehicle with a wheelbase of only 2,778 mm (109.4 in), but it doesn't look out of proportion. In fact, it has a very sporty flair to it thanks to the front hood that flows down into the broad radiator grille with the distinctive Mercedes-Benz three-point logo front and centre. The side flanks also slope forward to the bulging front wheel arches. Inside the cabin, the B200 has a rich look to it, accented by chrome and aluminum trim, aluminum pedals and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. It's not as luxurious as your typical Benz, but certainly far from bargain basement with lots of upscale features such as automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, MP3-compatible six-disc CD changer with AM/FM radio and Bluetooth and outside temperature display. Fit and finish is excellent, as one would expect in a MercedesContinued on page 17