The Gazette (Montreal) (Enlarge photo)

04/09/2008 05:42. That Mercedes' little B200 Turbo might not just be another boring mini minivan first came to my attention when I joined Mercedes-Benz Canada for the introduction of its summer driver training course at Ontario Place.

The instructors, fresh from a similar event at Mosport, were raving about the smallest Merc, claiming the five-door was both powerful and handled a treat.

Looking at a smorgasbord of hyper-powered AMG products in the Ontario Place parking lot, I was skeptical. Indeed, I avoided the B200 as long as I could, opting first for an SLK, a CLS and even an E-Class. Eventually, though, it was my turn in the B and, worse yet, it was for the slalom course. Darn, why couldn't I have something with wider tires and a centre of gravity somewhat lower than the nearby CN Tower?

Imagine my... // The Gazette (Montreal)