Daimler Mercedes GLB (2019)
08/13/2019
N the A-Class is spreading Mercedes on the front-wheel drive platform' MFA2 “from an extremely versatile model landscape. In addition to the A- and B-Class, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, there is also a new GLA and, with the GLB, a completely new compact SUV.
New Mercedes GLB also as a seven-seater
Lange Mercedes had tended towards a long B-Class in order to meet the demands of families. Ultimately, in times of the SUV boom, it became an SUV in the style of the luxury SUV GLS with a length of 4.63 meters and a trunk volume of 560 to 1,755 liters. Enough space to optionally offer a foldable third row of seats - the seven-seater is ready. According to Mercedes, the two seats in row three can be used by people up to 1.68 meters tall. On request, the second row of seats can be moved in length by 140 millimeters and the backrests can be tilted in several stages as standard. This allows the trunk to be enlarged by up to 179 liters and used in a variety of ways.
At 2,829 millimeters, the GLB has ten centimeters more wheelbase than the new B-Class, for example. The total length is 4.63 meters, the width is specified as 1.83 meters and the height is around 1.66 meters.
Visually, the new Mercedes GLB has short overhangs and conspicuously roped side windows, which of course is supposed to remind of the grandfather of all Mercedes all-wheel drive, the G-model. But not only. Together with the almost horizontal roof and the steep rear window, it gives the impression of a mini-GLS. The lower door line descends gently to the rear, while the slightly sloping roof ends in a roof edge spoiler.
Only four-cylinder on offer
The new Mercedes GLB, which combines the technology with the GLA shares the well-known engines from Daimler's compact segment. The basic gasoline engine in the GLB 200 is a 1.33-liter with 163 hp and 250 nm torque, which is coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The second petrol engine is the GLB 250 4Matic, which gets 224 hp and 350 Nm from two liters of displacement. The eight-speed dual clutch transmission is used here.
The diesel range includes three versions of the two-liter four-cylinder. The basic diesel engine is the GLB 200 d with 150 PS and 320 Nm, above that the corresponding four-wheel drive and the GLB 220 d with 190 PS and 400 Nm. All three bet onEight-speed dual clutch transmission.
The 4-Matic all-wheel drive for the GLB comes from the compact shelf and is not comparable to the setup that is used, for example, for the G-model. In regular driving mode (Eco /Comfort) a torque distribution of 80:20 (front axle: rear axle) is active, in 'Sport' mode it is 70:30. Finally, in off-road mode, the multi-plate clutch on the rear axle is used as a longitudinal lock, the basic power distribution is then 50:50.
According to the current state of planning, the GLB will not initially be available as a plug-in hybrid. Why? It would not have been available until the end of 2021 anyway, and then an electric version of the GLB are about to have their world premiere. The EQB is then not based on the MFA2 platform, but on a further developed EVA floor assembly that is exclusively intended for electric vehicles.
GLB costs from 37,747 euros
The GLB's cockpit With its huge displays in front of the steering wheel and on the center console, as well as the digital instruments and the latest MBUX infotainment offer, corresponds to the compact series standard. There are also various aluminum elements.
The Mercedes GLB can be ordered immediately. It then rolls to dealers from the end of the year. Prices start at 37,747 euros for the GLB 200, the GLB 250 4Matic as the second petrol engine costs from 44,857 euros. The cheapest diesel is the GLB 180 d from 37,771 euros, the GLB 200 d is listed with at least 39,258 euros in the price list, the corresponding all-wheel drive version costs 41,472 euros and the GLB 220 d 4Matic is listed at 44,601 euros. The third row of seats with two retractable individual seats costs € 1,309 extra for all GLB models.
The Mercedes GLB can be upgraded with the three equipment lines Style (€ 893), Progressive (€ 1,815) and AMG Line ( 3,511 euros) and the night package (506 euros). In the first year it will also be offered as Edition 1 (surcharge: 9,044 euros).
The new GLB is manufactured in the Aguascalientes plant (Mexico) and for the Chinese market in Beijing.
