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The new GLB aims to create a new niche within the compact premium SUV space, which will see it straddle two segments, bigger than the GLA and a tad smaller than the GLC. The car was unveiled alongside the global test drive of the big sister GLS in Utah, USA.
The setting was quite apt for the too since it is not only an SUV, but is also made in Mercedes-Benz’s Alabama plant in the U.S. SUV’s account for the maximum selling Mercedes-Benz models worldwide now, and these are the latest figures shared with us right now.
You have got the flagship SUV’s such as the G, GLS, the new GLE which we are still waiting for in India, you have the GLC which has been given its mid-cycle facelift, and of coarse the GLA which is the tiny baby of the family. The GLB which slots in between the GLA and the GLC.
In terms of size and attributes also it has that compact footprint, two big differences that really stand out, of coarse you get the new styling and the new design language, but it is kind of squarish and boxy, unlike the other cars which are more Coupe like.
Image: Newspress
And the second thing is although it is compact, it is still a seven-seater, and that kind of fits a hole in the market, a very lucrative one according to Mercedes-Benz, because guess what the second highest selling segment for the company is worldwide?
Compact cars, and so this one is an SUV and a compact vehicle in one and that is why the company has such big hopes for it.
Overall the GLB comes in at 4634mm in length, 1834mm in width, and a height of 1658mm. Given that it is taller than both the GLA and the GLC the new GLB can play rival to something like the BMW X3.
The face on the new production car is safe in line with the SUV range but has its own signature daytime running lights (DRL). The square and boxy profile give it a more G like stance. On the inside though, the car is its own model and very much in-line with its platform siblings, the all new A-class and B-class.
Image: Newspress
Sporting beautiful aircraft inspired air-conditioning vents and all the latest of Mercedes-Benz tech, including the MBUX system, the GLB will truly entice your inner child. The layout gives a good sense of space and the sunroof truly gives it that open feel.
It does not matter the kind of buyer, the GLB will suit most. Although the second row of seats are not as spacious as they can be, they still offer more than enough. This is mainly due to the third row of seats and the generous luggage compartment that many compact SUV’s fail to deliver. The luggage compartment has an astounding 560 litres in 5 seat configuration and this can increase to 1755 litres with the second row folded flat.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is powered by a selection of 2 petrol engines and 2 diesel engines, well 3 diesel engines. The first petrol is a 1.3L four cylinder engine mated to a 7G-DCT transmission that will produce 160 bhp and 250 Nm. Petrol engine number 2 is a 2.0L unit the is attached to an 8G-DCT transmission with a total power output of 220 bhp and 350 Nm.
Image: Newspress
Diesel offers the 2.0L engine in 2 variants, two-wheel drive and 4Matic, both are equipped with the 8G-DCT transmission and have the same power output of 147 bhp and deliver 320 Nm of torque. The powerful diesel engine is the same 2.0L engine that has been tweaked to deliver 186 bhp and 400 Nm of torque.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB will start to roll in on global markets during the second half of this year, and will be followed by the facelift GLA in 2020.
