Spied: 2012 Mercedes B-Class

Our Teamspeed spies have snapped a few shots of the B-Class update from Mercedes-Benz this morning. The updated B-class will be presented in the autumn at the Frankfurt Motor Show. These images were snapped just a few minutes outside of the Mercedes-Benz testing facility

Motor Authority noted a little ways back, "To increase sales, there are rumors that Mercedes-Benz is planning to expand the range by adding new variants in addition to the regular hatch: a new coupe-cabrio, a sporty hatchback to rival BMW's 1-series range and possibly a four-door sedan with coupe styling.

Expect to see a range of small displacement turbo engines and new hybrid variants offering in the B-Class family, as well as a hydrogen fuel cell model. The new 2012 Mercedes-Benz B-Class will be sportiest yet as a high-performance AMG variant was confirmed by the tuning arm's outgoing boss Volker Mornhinweg late last month. AMG currently offers V-8 engines exclusively but for the B-Class a new specially tuned four cylinder will be developed. The model will compete with other hot-fours such as the Volkswagen Golf R32 and Audi S3. Expect to see a range of performance upgrades as well, including new brakes, a sporty bodykit and upmarket interior."