The long-awaited new-gen Mercedes B-Class, featuring a whole new platform that it shares with many new models, will soon be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

And to create some hype for it, Mercedes released some initial details about the car. The new B will remain a rather large and practical hatchback, aka mini MPV, which is important now that the A Class has gone all sporty and Golf-like.

2012 Mercedes B Class in its basic trim will get a new 1.6 liter turbo engine with two output, 123 or 154 hp. There will also be a diesel, a 1,8 liter, which can be had with either 108 or 134 hp. But these are the ordinary, run off the mill engines. From 2013 the car will be offered with hybrid and fuel cell powertrains. Mercedes has recently been around the world testing its fuel cell system in an old B Class. It wouldn’t make sense if they were not going to use it somewhere!

But you know what, even that’s not the most important thing about the new B Class. That’d be the AWD, AMG-powered version which will reportedly get 320 hp from a turbocharged 2.0 liter petrol unit, same that powers the next A Class AMG as well. It’ll be one helluva family car then!

via: AutoExpress