0 SPY: Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W 246) gets revised for the 2015 model year

Mercedes-Benz launched the second generation of the B-Class in 2011 at Frankfurt. Sales have commenced soon after the world premiere and installed the compact sports tourer in a comfortable place in its class with remarkable sales numbers. Next year, the company will introduce a refreshed generation of the W 246 model series in order to keep the car competitive on the market.

While the first generation B-Class was developed in a hurry and shared its philosophy with the W 169 A-Class, the second generation that came two years ago is the pioneer of the New Compact Car Generation (NCCG) at Mercedes-Benz. Having got rid of the complicated sandwich structure for the front-driven platform and opted for the simple, yet modular MFA chassis, the new B-Class not only became bigger, but even more versatile, dynamic and premium.

The B-Class has sold like hot cakes since 2011 and for 2015 Mercedes-Benz are preparing a refreshment for the W 246. The test vehicles are already out in the wild since mid-September. As suggested by the camouflaged prototype, the car gets a new face, in line with the new visual philosophy of the brand, which is evolved from the current proposition and is improved with more stylish graphics and the latest LED lighting technology (see HERE). The grille will become more sharply defined and upright compared to the 2011-2014 model and we are also expecting a more dramatic interpretation of the front bumper.

The LED tail lamps should barely be resketched, but you can look for more sporty exhausts to boost the appearance of the rear end. The 2015 B-Class Facelift will receive more efficient powerplants ranging from the B 180 CDI entry-level to the B 250 high-end model. 4MATIC will be available optionally, while the 7G-DCT gearbox is standard equipment on the range-topping variants. Most certainly, the compact sports tourer shall also receive a thorough update in the technology department - expect the newest generation of COMAND Online telematics and the state-of-the-art safety technologies grouped under the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive slogan that have debuted on the new S-Class and E-Class Facelift.

The new Mercedes-Benz B-Class 2015 generation should debut some time during summer 2014, with sales programmed to start towards the end of next year.

Image Credits: Gmotors.co.uk / Carscoops

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: SPY: Mercedes-Benz B-Class (W 246) gets revised for the 2015 model year

0 SPY: Early 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS SB Facelift (X 218) prototype spotted

Mercedes-Benz will refresh the entire CLS lineup (Coupe and Shooting Brake) in spring 2014. As indicated by the test prototype recently caught on tape in Stuttgart, this will be a moderate facelift of an already elegant and beautiful car. The front fascia will hold the most important update.

The new 2015 model year CLS-Class will highlight a major breakthrough in lighting technology: the introduction of world's first Active Multi Beam LED system (read more HERE). As suggested by the spy shots, the new headlights, which appear to have multiple light emitting, movable components, hidden under the black tape resemble the ones you see in the next photo:

Furthermore, it seems the AMG Sport version of the new CLS Facelift will boast the A-Class inspired diamond grille. If you look to the details in the first scoop, you can depict this design. The front bumper will also be restyled and will receive new air intakes. At the moment, the rear end of the Shooting Brake test vehicle does not suggest important changes, but we think the facelift will bring a new bumper, new oval exhausts and new LED graphics for the tail lamps.

The 2015 CLS-Class will be enhanced with the latest tech stuff from the new S-Class, E-Class Facelift and the forthcoming C-Class. The 9G-TRONIC will come as a standard feature on the high-end models. The C/X 218 will actually be the first Mercedes-Benz model to bring the new 9-speed automatic gearbox on the North American as well. The engines, equipped with ECO start/stop function, will be borrowed from the current model generation, but they will most likely be enhanced for more efficiency and lower fuel consumption values.

We will further report on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS Facelift when new, more detailed spy pics arrive.

Image Credits: GermanCarForum

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: SPY: Early 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS SB Facelift (X 218) prototype spotted

0 SPY: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C/R 197) receives a minor facelift for 2015 model year

In late 2014, the new SLS AMG will be already 5 years old, so the engineers from Affalterbach thought it would be great to apply some subtle revisions to the Gullwing-ed supercar.

The general styling of the C/R 197 series will hardly be transformed. Expect to see a new front bumper with larger air intakes in the shape of the A-wing that launched on the new E 63 AMG this year. It is also possible the head- and tail lights receive new LED inner graphics and new lighting technology for sharper performance.

Likely, the most important changes will be inside, where the SLS AMG is set to receive the latest tech stuff from its Mercedes-Benz brother. We are talking about the new generation of the internet COMAND Online NTG 5 infotainment system. Expect some new controls and buttons for the operative interface of the HVAC unit and the audio device.

From the 2015 model year, the SLS AMG could also receive the high-end surround system provided by Burmester (that debuted on the new S-Class) on the option list, alongside the existing choice from Bang & Olufsen.

There is still no hint on this issue, but the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG could receive a new beast under the bonnet - the 5.5-litre V8 BITURBO instead of the current 6.2-litre aspirated V8. Confirmation is on the way to us, but the larger inlets that can be seen under the camouflage tape at front indicate the C/R 197 could stick to the old engine till the end of its lifespan sometime towards 2017/2018.

If the latter is the real scenario in the end, Mercedes-AMG will continue to offer the supercar in the already known variants: basis model with 571 hp and GT with 591 hp. The Black Series (limited to less than 500 units and cranking out a massive 631 hp) and the Electric Drive (with 552 kW) are to remain as they are now and not receive any make-up.

The SLS AMG will remain committed to the rear traction, so if you were excited about a 4x4 supercar wearing the Star, forget it. However, there is still some hope the Performance AMG 4MATIC gets implemented on some variants of the future SLC AMG (C 190) mid-range supercar (also known as the Mercedes-Benz GT), that we will report about in our forthcoming articles (read more HERE).

Image Credits: Gmotors.co.uk

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Detail: SPY: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C/R 197) receives a minor facelift for 2015 model year