In seventh heaven!

Mercedes-Benz has one of the widest portfolio of vehicles in the luxury class right now. And yet, one in three Mercs is now an SUV, and one in four is a compact model. No wonder then that Mercedes-Benz has decided to launch a compact SUV like the GLB, which will not only attempt to combine all the success factors of the company's highest-volume segments, but also try to dip into the compact luxury family MPV category with the possibility of it being offered with a third row of seats.

Mercedes, which recently held the global premiere of the GLB, says that it is it’s first compact vehicle to offer a third seat row on request with two additional individual seats. The seats offer people up to a height of 1.68 metres a comfortable amount of space.

Off-road design

The powerful proportions of the GLB highlights the design with its off-road orientation. An upright front section with its striking headlamps is clear evidence of off-road genes, as are the short overhangs at the front and rear. The muscular and contoured vehicle shoulder dominates the side view at the height of the C-pillar, an effect reinforced by the rising waistline. The doors reach over the side bar, improving ease of access, and keep the door apertures free of soiling as well as increasing protection in a side impact. Merc designers say that the all-round protective claddings divide the overall proportions and emphasise the vehicle’s off-road character, as does the simulated underride guard at the front and rear.

Solid-built cabin

Inside the new GLB, the instrument panel consists of a single piece, which has optical cut-outs in the driver and front passenger area. The driver faces a widescreen cockpit, with control and display via MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). A new feature is the characteristic off-road tubular element in an aluminium look which rounds-off the lower section of the instrument panel and houses the three round centre air vents. Merc officials say that these give the dashboard support an impression of robustness, power and a certain fun factor. Below the nozzles is the air-conditioning control panel, whose buttons create the impression that they have been milled from a solid aluminium cylinder.

Powertrains

The GLB will be offered with four-cylinder engines that have been updated for more power, improved efficiencies and to meet new emission regulations. The petrols are a 1.4-litre (GLB 200) and a two-litre (GLB 250 4MATIC) delivering 163 hp and 224 hp respectively and which have been mated to a seven-speed dual clutch and a eight-speed dual clutch auto transmission respectively. The Diesel engine is a 1,951 cc unit mated to the eight-speed DCT auto (dual clutch) and is offered in two different output levels. The GLB 200d delivers 150 hp, and in the GLB 220d 4MATIC the engine offers 190 hp of peak power.

On request, the GLB is equipped with the permanent all-wheel system 4MATIC, with fully-variable torque distribution.

This sporty all-wheel drive configuration allows the driver to use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to influence the characteristics of 4MATIC. Three characteristic maps are available to control the all-wheel drive clutch, though the system responds flexibly to the current driving situation in any mode. In regular driving operation, the drive program Eco/Comfort is based on an 80:20 distribution (front axle:rear axle), while in Sport it is 70:30.

In off-road mode, the all-wheel drive clutch acts as an inter-axle differential lock, with the basic distribution a balanced 50:50.

India-bound?

We hope the GLB makes it to our market. While there is no official timeline yet, Mercedes-Benz India is said to be working out the roadmap for bringing it here. The GLB will be positioned between the GLA and the GLC and is likely to be priced between ₹40-50 lakh.

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