New Mercedes-Benz B 180 produces 16% less CO₂ emissions over full lifecycle than its predecessor

25 January 2012

B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. Click to enlarge.

Over its entire life cycle—from production and service over 160,000 kilometers (99,400 miles) to recycling—the new Mercedes-Benz B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY with 7G-DCT dual clutch transmission produces 16% less CO₂ emissions than its predecessor when the latter was discontinued in 2011. Primary energy consumption over the vehicle’s entire life cycle is cut by 14% in comparison to its predecessor. This corresponds to the energy content of around 2,400 liters (634 gallons) of gasoline.

The TÜV Süd technical inspection authority awarded the compact sports tourer the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062. This certification is based on a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the B-Class.

The new B-Class is the first model of a completely new generation of compact vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. It sets clear benchmarks in two fields which are crucial to efficiency: aerodynamics and the drive system. The high level of environmental compatibility goes beyond reductions in fuel consumption, as the Environmental Certificate in accordance with ISO standard TR 14062 now confirms.

—Professor Dr Herbert Kohler, Chief Environmental Officer at Daimler AG

Fuel consumption of the B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY gasoline model with dual clutch transmission ranges—depending on the fitted tires—from 5.9 to 6.2 l/100 km (38 to 40 mpg US) in comparison to 7.3 to 7.5 l/100 km (31 to 32 mpg US) for its predecessor at the time of its discontinuation in 2011. This corresponds to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption of up to 19%.

BlueEFFICIENCY technologies contributing to the reduction include optimization measures in the area of the powertrain; energy management; aerodynamics; tires optimized for minimum rolling resistance; weight reduction through lightweight construction; and driver information to encourage an energy-saving style of driving. A drag coefficient of Cd = 0.26 places the new B-Class at the forefront of its market segment.

The B-Class already meets the recycling rate of 95% by weight which will be mandatory as of 1 January 2015. In all, the B-Class incorporates 75 components representing a total weight of 39 kilograms (86 lb) which can be produced with the partial use of high-quality recycled plastics. This results in a 13% increase in the weight of approved recycled components in comparison to the previous model. Typical areas of use are wheel arch linings, cable ducts and underbody panels, which consist for the most part of polypropylene.

There is also an increased emphasis on closed automobile materials cycles: a recyclate is used for the front wheel arch linings, for example, which is produced from reprocessed vehicle components such as starter battery housings, bumper panels from the Mercedes-Benz Recycling System (MeRSy) and production waste from cockpit units.

21 components in the B-Class, representing a total weight of 20 kilograms (44 lb), are produced using natural materials—an increase of 29% over the previous model. Natural materials employed in series production of the new B-Class consist primarily of coconut and wood fibres and honeycomb cardboard in combination with various polymer materials.

The modular body-in-white concept means that the B-Class is designed to accommodate versions with an alternative drive: appropriate interfaces in the body shell enable the main floor panel to be modified and a step to be produced for the “ENERGY SPACE” on the versions with alternative drive. An underfloor compartment covering part of the area under the rear bench seat offers space for batteries.