Mercedes-Benz is promising improved fuel efficiency and an all-electric powertrain from the facelifted B-Class when it hits UK roads in November.

With 124 miles of range, the B-Class will match the Nissan Leaf in terms of thirst for charge, but it will offer extra badge prestige, a little more practicality and increased performance. It will be the fastest B-Class in the range, with 180bhp powering the car to 62mph in just 7.9 seconds – more than 3.5 seconds faster than a Leaf.

It’s not just the electric model which has allowed Mercedes to clean up its act, with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions improving across the five-engine range, despite performance staying more or less the same.

Ola Källenius, a member of the Mercedes-Benz’s divisional board responsible for marketing and sales, said: “As the first member of a completely new generation of compact class, for us the B-Class paved the way for great success in this vehicle segment. The pioneer is now in better shape than ever.”

Source: Green Car Website