Mercedes-Benz goes ‘BOLD’ with its new GLB SUV, which sets a notable tone in the 7-seater segment.
Noted as a versatile family SUV, the new Mercedes-Benz GLB is a first of its kind in terms of versatility, offering more than just a sizeable cabin. For starters, the exterior design comes kitted with a more off-road biased styling that includes an upright front section dominated by LED headlamps. Front and rear short overhangs, All-round protective claddings with undercarriage guard at the front and rear completes the look.
“Its iconic design lends the Mercedes-Benz GLB an unmistakable SUV character”, says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG. “The clear forms with reduced lines and powerful surfaces conveys our design philosophy of Sensual Purity.”
The sizeable interior design is characterised by a single piece instrument panel, a widescreen cockpit with control and display via MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), an aluminium look on the lower section of the instrument panel and centre air vents. Along the doors, the SUV character is underlined by the horizontal grab handle that, from the design and equipment line Progressive upwards, forms a robust part of the door panel structure and resembles a machined aluminium tube.
On request, the Mercedes-Benz GLB is offered with third row seats that include retractable head restraints, seat belts with belt tensioners, a side window airbag plus ISOFIX and TOP-Tether anchorages for suitable child seats. These can be used to attach up to four child seats in the rear. Comfort and convenience in the third row is catered for by two drinks holders between the seats as well as two stowage compartments with a rubberised insert on the left and right in the load compartment trim, each with a USB port. The seats can be lowered so that they are flush with the load compartment floor in order to extend the load compartment.
Powering the new GLB are a range of updated 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The petrol range includes an entry-level GLB 200 model, powered by a 120kW/250Nm 1.3litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (0-100km/h in 9.1sec before reaching a top speed of 207km/h) mated to a standard 7G-DCT auto transmission. The range topping GLB 250 model gains a 165kW/350Nm 2.0litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (0-100km/h in 6.5sec before reaching a top speed of 236km/h) mated to a standard 8G-DCT auto transmission.
Three diesel variants (GLB 200d, GLB 200d 4MATIC and GLB 220d 4MATIC) have been confirmed to be on offer and are powered by the same 2.0litre 4-cylinder diesel unit in different states of tune. Kick-starting the range is the 110kW/320Nm GLB 200, followed by the GLB 110kW/320Nm 200d 4MATIC, whilst the range topping 140kW/400Nm GLB 220d sums the line-up. Swapping cogs across the diesel range is a standard 8G-DCT auto transmission that delivers grant via either a standard front wheel drive setup or an all-wheel drive system.
Off-road fanatics have also been catered for, as Mercedes-Benz is also offering an Off-road Engineering package that comes with an additional driving mode that can be activated via the DYNAMIC SELECT switch.
Mzansi Specification and pricing of the new Mercedes-Benz GLB will be confirmed closer to introduction dates. Stay tuned.