SPY PICS: B-Class final cut

Mercedes teasingly strips away the cladding to reveal more of its forthcoming B-Class
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We learn a little more every time new spy photos are wheeled out for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class.

The three-pointed star is progressively peeling away the disguise on its next generation B-Class test mules as the launch date, rumoured to be in the second half of this year, looms.

These latest pictures from spy photographers Carparazzi finally show the glasshouse of the new B-Class, complete with the small side windows aft of the rear doors, five-spoke factory alloy wheels and the shape, if not the full lens, of the tail lights.

The rear side doors remain camouflaged though, indicating some adventurous creasing may be in order for the final product - maybe something like the dramatic upsweep suggested  by the stick-on cladding, even if there’s very little hint of it in the also now exposed front doors. The suggestion of LED daytime running lights above the headlights could well be real too.

It's anticipated that the all-new B-Class will employ a range of smaller-capacity Renault-sourced engines, while also offering Benz's own larger-capacity engines. Two six-speed gearboxes – a manual and a dual-clutch – both using stop-start technology, will be offered.

The range is expected to expand further down the track with a plug-in hybrid, full-electric, and fuel cell versions planned.

Other models are rumoured to spring from the same basic architecture too, including sedan, roadster and SUV variants – as well as the next-generation A-Class.

-- with Carparazzi

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