Mercedes-Benz is referring to the new B-Class as a compact sports tourer and its new design reflects that sportier stance. Official images of the next-generation B-Class have been released here ahead of the model's public debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month and we get a detailed look, with 45 photos in the album, at the new compact. The B-Class has been sleeked-out (now featuring a drag co-efficient of just 0.26) and the new design makes the vehicle look very R-Class-like in its shape. Mercedes-Benz has promised to offer lots of tech goodies in the new B-Class and they deliver on that. Included in the offerings are such functions as Adaptive Headlamp Assist, Blind Spot Assist / Lane Keeping Assist, Attention Assist, Speed Limit Assist, Active Parking Assist, Linguatronic, DISTRONIC PLUS, PRE-SAFE and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST with adaptive Brake Assist. A start/stop system comes standard in the next B-Class too. Power plants available begin with the 1.6-liter petrol producing 90 kW (122 PS / 121 hp) and 200 Nm (147 lb-ft) of torque, and continues with another 1.6 offering 115 kW (156 PS / 154 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. For the diesels, there's a 1.8-liter with 80 kW (109 PS / 107 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque which is also configured to deliver 100 kW (136 PS / 134 hp) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque. Transmissions on offer are the 6-speed manual and 7-speed 7G-DCT dual clutch gearbox.