Mercedes-Benz has launched its television, print, web and mobile phone advertising campaign, costing £4m, prior to the UK on sale date of its new B-class, on September 15.

Although customer deliveries of the new model do not start until the middle of next month, Mercedes dealers already have B-class demonstrators.

Mari Dyson, Mercedes B-class product executive, says: “Our competitors for the B-class include a wide range of models from the new Vauxhall Zafira through to new Peugeot 307SW to the Honda CR-V but these are volume models not premium, lower volume products. In a full year we expect to sell 6,000 units in the UK.”

For the remainder of this year around 1,500 B-class models will be available and from the information received from advanced orders and the B-class mini website (www.b-klasse.com), Mercedes expects 75% of sales to be to conquest customers. Mercedes also predicts petrol versions will account for 65% of sales with the 95bhp B150 model talking up to 40% of all sales.

Approximately two-thirds of B-class customers are expected to be private buyers.

The new model will come in three trims from launch, standard, SE and turbo. There will be a choice of six four-cylinder, Euro IV-compliant engines, four petrol and two diesels ranging from 95 to 193bhp. The 95bhp petrol engine will be available for November deliveries. All models in the range are available with either manual or CVT automatic transmission.

Prices range from £16,995 to £22,795. The SE package is an option for all models except the turbo for an extra cost of £950.

  • The B-class shares the same architecture and engines as the A-class.