by  Brenda Priddy 

 
(2005-01-17)

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=156,178&sid=178&article=7995

The usual silence around was old farmhouse on the banana plantation on the island of Tenerife was interrupted on this bright and sunny January morning. Where you usually only hear the birds singing and the rolling of the sea, there were 20 people running around, shouting, and moving equipment: A major motion picture or perhaps a television commercial was in the process of being made on this beautiful island and actors, directors, and camera men are all talking at the same time.

Security guards were protecting the entrances and driveways from unauthorized viewers, and nobody was allowed to walk on the manicured grounds of this beautiful resort. Hotel guests were even asked to close the curtains of their rooms! Those who wanted to go to the tennis courts or the take in breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant were escorted to and from, and were even asked to “walk fast” past the unusual activity.

In the mist of all the activity, the upcoming Mercedes B-Class rolled into view on the cobblestone drive. As luck would have it, we had a spy staying at that very hotel — and we have the B-Class pictures to prove it.

After showing a concept version of the car at the Paris Motor Show last fall, Mercedes will unveil the production version at the Geneva Show later this year. The new B-Class will be available in Europe by summer, and will come to the North American market shortly afterwards in the 2006 calendar year.

Based on the new A-Class, the new B will be a full five-seater with a bit more versatility and priced under $30,000. Mercedes hopes to sell around 40,000 units in North America, and another 40,000 units in Europe annually.