The new compact SUV from Mercedes-Benz, the GLB, will hit dealerships in Europe and the rest of the world before the end of the year. To mark the occasion, the automaker has released full details and a massive photo gallery of the eighth member of its compact car family, in regular and AMG 35 guises. Positioned between the GLA and the GLC, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is the brand’s first model in this segment that’s optionally available with seating for seven.
The automaker claims the two seats in the third row can be used by people up to 1.68 meters in height, which means they’re best used by children. Boasting a wheelbase of 2,829 mm, 100 mm longer than the B-Class MPV, the GLB offers a roomy interior with plenty of head- and legroom in the first two rows.
The cargo compartment’s capacity of the five-seat model varies from 570 liters with all seats in place to 1,805 liters with the rear seats folded down. As standard, the backrest angle is adjustable in several stages and the second row can also be optionally moved fore and aft, adding 190 liters to the boot volume when in their most forward position. Based on the MFA2 front-wheel-drive platform, the GLB also offers optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive in combination with the more powerful engines in the lineup, making it a versatile choice in the premium compact SUV segment.
The engine lineup consists exclusively of turbocharged four-cylinder engines, running on both gasoline and diesel. The petrol range includes the GLB 200 1.3-liter rated at 163 PS, GLB 250 4MATIC 2.0-liter making 224 PS, and GLB 35 4MATIC AMG 2.0-liter producing 306 PS.
Diesel fans can opt for four engines, all featuring a 2.0-liter capacity: the 116 PS GLB 180 d, 150 PS GLB 200 d, 150 PS GLB 200 d 4MATIC, and 190 PS GLB 220 d 4MATIC. All the engines are mated as standard to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions bar the GLB 200 which features a seven-speed DCT.
The GLB is available in four trim levels (entry-level, Style, Progressive and AMG Line), as well as a special Edition 1 model. It comes with an array of available amenities and tech, including the MBUX infotainment system, convenience control Energizing Comfort, Multibeam LED headlights, adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Select driving modes and many driving assistance systems.
The latter category includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, and hill-start assistance system, among other systems. The new GLB is built at Daimler’s Aguascalientes plant in Mexico for global markets and in Beijing for the Chinese market.
