The ABC of the GLB
MERC: RELAUNCHED MODEL GETS A MID-LIFE FACELIFT
Interior refresh takes matters up a notch, but highlight is its powertrain.
The Mercedes-Benz GLB, in the bluntest possible way, has not had the easiest time. Delayed due to the Covid pandemic before being launched in the latter stage of 2020, only to be relaunched less than two years later, the crossover/SUV has battled to find a stable footprint in complete opposite to its lower rung stablemate, the GLA.
In the latest development, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has again revised the GLB, but this time as part of the model’s midlife facelift. Besides the roll-out of external and interior changes, the revision goes further as Benz has opted to streamline the GLB range by removing the petrol engine GLB 250 and AMG GLB 35, while leaving the option of the standard five or optional seven-seats.
The range now consists solely of the 4Matic all-wheel-drive equipped GLB 220d powered by a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, albeit without the 48-volt mild-hybrid EQ Boost system offered in Europe that adds 10kW for short bursts.
The GLB gets a new front bumper and a restyled grille now with one slate as opposed to two. Along with restyled headlight clusters complete with LEDs as standard, the side graphics have been changed along with the taillight cluster, also with LEDs.
The GLB’s interior refresh takes matters up a notch where, apart from the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, the centre console has been reworked to house a new storage tray in place of the much criticised haptic touchpad that served as interface for the MBUX infotainment system.
The latter itself once again comes in two sizes; the standard seven-inch or the optional 10.25inch, both touchscreen exclusive with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the first time, in addition to the Hey Mercedes voice prompt.
The option of leather or Artico man-made leather seat upholstery and an extended array of colour options for the ambient lighting package rounds the interior off, together with a new steering wheel and type-C USB port in place of the old type-As.
Boot space ranges from 570-litres to 1 805-litres with the rear seats folded down. Worth noting is the lack of a spare wheel beneath the boot board replaced by a puncture repair kit.
The highlight of the GLB involves its powertrain. While raucous on start-up, the OM654g oil-burner shrugs of its initial hint of turbo-lag to deliver a low-down pull stronger and more responsive than its 140kW/400Nm suggest.
The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission makes the most of the engine’s talents as it shifts with composure instead of immediately heading to top gear or shifting down abruptly with the usual low-speed dual-clutch drag.
While fitted with an Offroad mode – the rest of the Dynamic Select system comprising Eco, Comfort, Sport and Individual settings – the claimed ground of 135mm is nothing to write home about, though will be sufficient for the odd off-track jaunt.
The engine’s other major plus is fuel consumption. We managed 6.6L/100km over 500km.
The GLB is, set to remain something of an oddity in Benz’s range in spite of it being well accomplished in a number of areas.