CROWNING the Mercedes-Benz B-Class hatch range in Australia is the new B250, equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

In the B250 it produces 155kW and 350Nm of torque, matching the Golf GTI for power and crushing the all-wheel-drive Golf R by 20Nm when it comes to torque.

That, and a lightning-fast dual-clutch automatic transmission result in the front-drive B250 hurtling from rest to 100km/h in just 6.8 seconds.

There is also plenty of mid-range poke for overtaking, darting into gaps in traffic or negotiating steep hills with ease.

But is there more to the B250 than its big engine? Click the Our Opinion link to find out.