Mercedes has begun stripping the camouflage off the test cars of the upcoming GLB compact crossover, which were spotted doing some laps at the Nurburgring.
While we got a first glimpse of the GLB’s true shape in a previous scoop, the latest spy shots give us a much better look at the shape of the new Mercedes SUV. The GLB will be positioned between the sportier GLA and the bigger GLC, once it arrives in the market.
The boxy shape of the GLB will aid interior space and its overall practicality, not to mention it’ll leave some valuable breathing space to the sportier GLA.
The new Mercedes GLB will be based on the same architecture with the A-Class and it’s expected to offer room for seven passengers as an option. Over the previous months Mercedes’ upcoming addition to the range has gained the ‘mini G-Class’ nickname but overall the new SUV looks more like a shrunken GLS.
The interior is expected to share the same styling and layout with the A-Class, meaning a dual-screen setup that combines the instrument cluster and the new MBUX infotainment and is integrated nicely in a futuristic and premium-looking dashboard.
The engine range will mirror that of the A-Class, meaning a wide selection of diesel and petrol engines in Europe. US customers will be offered petrol engines only, with Mercedes also planning an electrified version as well. There have been reports about the GLB being set to get at least two AMG versions, in the form of the GLB 35 and GLB 45.
Mercedes will build the 2019 GLB at the new factory in Mexico, jointly owned by Daimler and Nissan. The same factory will build the US-bound A-Class Sedan. Mercedes is expected to reveal the new GLB towards the end of the year, with sales set to begin in 2019.