Mercedes always finds new gaps in the portfolio and fills them up. Now comes another B-model, but this time as a SUV disguised space miracle.
Between the letters A and C lies the letter B in the alphabet. This is nothing new and has been that way for a while. Even Mercedes knows that and offers between the A- and C- the B-Class. Now bring the Stuttgart from mid-December another B-model and squeezed in the previous gap between the SUV GLA and GLC the GLB. With a length of 4,63 meters to the border of the middle class thrusting SUV costs in combination with the 120 kW / 163 PS strong petrol engine (GLB 200) around 37.750 Euro. The basic version GLB 2020 with 180 kW / 100 PS, available from May 136, will be available from 36.000 Euro.
So now another more compact SUV with star. So that customers are not confused by the variety of products - or at least a little bit - Mercedes tries to differentiate the models in terms of design, equipment and engine diversity. The 2020 new and then 4,40-meter-long GLA is more likely to be fashionable, while the 4,66 meter-long mid-range GLC appeals to comfort-minded customers who might like six-cylinder engines as well as air suspension.
In the GLB, however, almost everything revolves around the space and makes so the B-Class competition, especially since there is the newcomer as a seven-seater (surcharge: 1.300 Euro). Even if the optional retractable 6 and 7 seats are mounted, rear passengers still have plenty of room to move their arms and legs. No passenger has to pay attention to the head anyway, with a vehicle height of 1,70 meters, there is plenty of air between the main hair and the roof, even with long-time occupants. Thanks to the long wheelbase of 2,83 meters, adults in the third row are also comfortable for short distances at least, provided they can snake backwards thanks to Pilates' strengthened back and leg muscles and also come out again without muscle strain. Classically, this is more the place where children travel. Practical is the sliding rear seat (surcharge: 430 Euro), it can be moved longitudinally by 14 centimeters in favor of more legroom or luggage volume. With folded rear seat backrests, the trunk volume is up to 1.805 liter, in the five-seat standard position, it is 570 liter.
Like the other siblings from the big A-class family, only four-cylinder engines are available at the GLB. The performance spectrum ranges from the 180 with 136 PS over the 200 with 163 PS to the 250 4Matic with 165 kW / 224 PS (from 44.900 Euro). The 180 d with 85 kW / 116 PS is with almost 37.800 Euro the cheapest way to drive a diesel. The 200 d with 110 kW / 150 PS costs 39.200 Euro. With all-wheel drive as 220d 4Matic it is around 41.500 Euro. The 220 d with 140 kW / 190 PS comes only with all-wheel drive and is available from 44.600 Euro. All engines comply with the Euro 6d emission standard. Standard is always an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for power transmission, only the GLB 200 has a seven-speed DSG. There will be no plug-in hybrids, but 2021 comes with a purely battery-powered version.
The majority of customers will probably opt for the 200er variants. The 200 GLB offers solid home cooking. The 163 PS is enough to bring the 1,7 tons of heavy vehicle relaxed. The seven-speed DSG acts under load changes not always sovereign, also like the 1,3-liter engine as a rough fellow. Although the 200 d comes only on 150 PS, but can score with 320 Nm instead of the 250 Nm in 200. Especially since there is the diesel with four-wheel drive. You also notice that the DSG has one more switching stage available. The power transmission is very harmonious. In terms of fuel consumption, the 2,0-liter four-cylinder naturally has the edge, with an average of 5 liters - the GLB 200 wants to be content with an average of 6,2 liters. If you do not want to display sporting ambitions on the motorway, you should be satisfied with both engines, especially since the GLB is comfortably tuned. Speaking of sports: In May 2020, the GLB also appears as AMG 35 4Matic with 225 kW / 306 PS and 400 Nm. With the typical AMG design elements and appropriate suspension tuning, the athlete should not be allowed to have 50.000 Euro.
Of course, the GLB should not only be practical and mostly solid. So that no idea of a "beneficial" comes up, the designers have tailored him a chic and trendy SUV sheet metal dress. These include at least 17-inch wheels and GLS and G-Class optical design credentials, such as the design of the radiator grille or taillights. The interior is typically Mercedes, depending on the equipment line with chic inlays and displays of different sizes for the multimedia system MBUX; and depending on the readiness of the customers to invest in extras, navigation system, LED headlights, sports steering wheel, steering wheel heating and leather are also part of the concept of "Schöner Wohnen". Many of the assistants offered also come at extra cost. But the pricing at Mercedes is like the order of the letters in the alphabet is nothing new.
Mercedes GLB - Technical data:
- Five-door, five- or seven-seater SUV; Length: 4,63 meters, width: 1,83 meters (width with outside mirrors: 2,02 meters), height: 1,70 meters, wheelbase: 2,83 meters, trunk volume: 570 - 1.805 liters
- GLB 200: 1,3-liter gasoline engine; 120 kW / 163 HP, maximum torque: 250 Nm at 1.620 - 4.000 rpm, front wheel drive, seven-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 9,1 s, Vmax: 207 km / h, standard consumption: 5,9 - 6,2 liter / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 134 - 141 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: B, price: from 37.750 Euro
- GLB 250 4Matic: 2,0-liter gasoline engine; 165 kW / 224 PS, maximum torque: 350 Nm at 1.800 - 4.000 rpm, four-wheel drive, eight-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 6,9 s, Vmax: 236 km / h, standard consumption: 7,1 - 7,4 liter / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 162 - 169 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: C, price: from 44.857 Euro
- GLB 180 d: 2,0 liter diesel; 85 kW / 116 PS, maximum torque: 280 Nm at 1.200 - 2.600 rpm, front-wheel drive, eight-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 11,3 s, Vmax: 188 km / h, standard consumption: 4,8 - 5,0 liters / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 125 - 131 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A, price: from 37.770 Euro
- GLB 200 d: 2,0 liter diesel; 110 kW / 150 PS, maximum torque: 320 Nm at 1.400 - 3.200 rpm, front-wheel drive, eight-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 9,0 s, Vmax: 204 km / h, standard consumption: 4,8 - 5,0 liters / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 126 - 131 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A, price: from 39.260 Euro
- GLB 200 d 4Matic: 2,0 liter diesel; 110 kW / 150 PS, maximum torque: 320 Nm at 1.400 - 3.200 rpm, four-wheel drive, eight-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 9,3 s, Vmax: 201 km / h, standard consumption: 5,0 - 5,3 liter / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 132 - 140 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A, price: from 41.470 Euro
- GLB 220 d 4Matic: 2,0 liter diesel; 140 kW / 190 PS, maximum torque: 400 Nm at 1.600 - 2.600 rpm, four-wheel drive, eight-speed DSG, 0-100 km / h: 7,6 s, Vmax: 217 km / h, standard consumption: 5,1 - 5,6 liter / 100 Kilometers, CO2 emissions: 135 - 142 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A, price: from 44.600 Euro
- Mercedes GLB - short description:
- Why: beautiful to look at, lots of space and variable
- Why not: you do not want an SUV design and the B-Class is big enough
- What else: VW Tiguan Allspace, Skoda Kodiaq, Mercedes B-Class or a used V-Class
- When will he arrive: mid-December