Mercedes-Benz GLB
The GLB becomes the sixth member of Merc’s SUV line-up and it has more than a few surprises up its sleeve, as Yogendra Pratap discovers at its world premiere in the US
All you need to know about Merc’s newest SUV
After changing the model nomenclature of its SUV range to align with the sedans a few years back, it was evident that there was a significant gap in its model line-up as the B-class had no corresponding SUV. Given
the characteristics of the B-class, it was a moot point to see what shape and form the B SUV would take and the rendition has taken a lot of us by surprise even though it fits in precisely with the concept and philosophy of the B-class.
Why this particular segment is important to get right is because it is the overlap of two of the largest volume segments for Mercedes-Benz. One in three vehicles having the three-pointed star is an SUV and one in four vehicles Mercedes is a compact
vehicle. The GLB bisects the two segments and also provides a 7-seater option – that adds practicality and versatility to its plus points of being a compact SUV. The design is based on the concept philosophy of sensual purity – clean lines combined with muscular elements. “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.” With an unmistakable Mercedes SUV front end that is in harmony with the new look of Mercedes SUVs, the vehicle has pleasing proportions and looks more muscular and robust than say the GLA which looks much sportier. The graphics formed by the DRLs and the lights give the SUV a character of its own while short overhangs and a large wheelbase all point at its offroad capability and SUV genes. Protective cladding all around give it a strong and robust look while also masking the rather long wheelbase that helps it accommodate 7-seats on the inside.
Open the door and the first thing one notices is the huge screen that covers half the dashboard, which is from the MBUX family of infotainment and instrument panel systems. The panel of this MBUX has optical cutouts for the instrumentation that can be
THE MERCEDES-BENZ GLB HAS PLEASING PROPORTIONS AND LOOKS MUSCULAR AND ROBUST
customized and below the centre part of the screen are the three round air vents with an aluminum finish. The air con controls seem to form part of an aluminium cylinder, a look that is also carried forward to the door panels.
The space inside is enough of three people sitting one behind the other and Mercedes claims that the last row of seats can easily accommodate people slightly taller than 5 feet 6 inches. If the last row is not being used for passengers then the luggage space is an impressive 560 litres in the five-seat option and can be extended up to an astonishing 1,760 litres.
At its launch the GLB is available with two petro engines one of which, the 200 (which now has a displacement of 1.3-litre) is in the front-wheel drive version while the 250 comes with the four-wheel drive option, the former mated to a 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission while the latter comes with an 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. There are two diesels as well with the 200d available both with fourwheel drive and front wheel drive while the 220d comes only with a four wheel drive option. The diesel
engines are all mated to an 8-speed dual clutch transmission.
The car is loaded with all the Mercedes techno gadgetry that the latest SUVs from the three-pointed star are equipped with including all the driving assistance systems including the ability to drive autonomously to a certain degree, the energizing comfort control as well as an off road package.
While the vehicle seems to be a very sensible option for India, the company still does not seem to have made up its mind on whether to launch it in India, But one thing is for sure – if Mercedes does decide to bring the GLB to India, it will open up a new segment of premium SUVs and that the launch will not be happening this year at least.