Mat Watson from British Mag, Auto Express, recently set out to find out just how aerodynamic the 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class really is. You may be surprised to know that the new B-Class with a drag coefficient of .26 is more aerodynamic than the CL (.27 Cd) and the SLK (.3 Cd). Not to mention the new Mercedes B-Class has an optional aero upgrade package that lowers the drag coefficient by .02, lowering it to .24. Lower than any other production car on the market.
So how is this possible? Mat takes the B-Class to the MIRA testing facility for a wind tunnel test. Normal aerodynamic tests use smoke to test just how aerodynamic a vehicle is but Auto Express wanted something a bit more interesting and so they chose green paint.
So what does the more aerodynamic B-Class do for you, the driver? It reduces the drag on the vehicle making for better fuel mileage. Combine the reduced drag with the updated B-Class engine and over the life of the vehicle, you save on average 634 gallons over the previous generation B-Class. At today’s gas prices, that is nearly $2,400 in savings and with gas prices on the rise, the savings will only go up.
