Mercedes Benz

India-certain 7-seat GLB can be Mercedes’ new X1 rival

India-certain 7-seat GLB can be Mercedes' new X1 rival 1

The GLA presently holds down the fort for Mercedes-Benz compact SUVs in India, taking over the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Volvo XC40. While these kinds of automobiles are crossovers and no longer complete-on SUVs, within the truest feel, the GLA perhaps strays a bit from the SUV facet of the spectrum with its low, sloping roof and curvaceous styling. It’s also not the most spacious on the interior, presenting no longer tons extra in phrases of cabin and baggage area than an A-elegance or B-magnificence. This is wherein the new GLB is available. It even packs a small 1/3 row of seats.

Mercedes BenzIndia-certain 7-seat GLB can be Mercedes' new X1 rival 3

Styling smart, the GLB is the entirety the GLA isn’t. It’s bolt upright with a bluff nose and a boxy cabin. The model follows the conventional Mercedes SUV template, with the two rugged slats peeling off from a supersized famous person grille (there’s a sportier AMG Line choice with the diamond-mesh grille), headlamps which might be big rectangles with DRLs mimicking more moderen SUVs just like the GLC or even the G-Wagen, and some rugged touches too – like brief overhangs and the skid plates at the front and the rear. The car you notice in the photos is riding on 20-inch wheels, but 17- or 18-inch wheels are more likely for our market. Another interesting contact is the close to-vertical rear end that makes it appear like a scaled-down model of Merc’s different seven-seat SUV – the GLS.

Under the skin, the GLB (codename: X247) uses the equal MFA II platform as the brand new A-magnificence, B-class, and CLA, and meaning it’s commonly the front-wheel-drive, but of the path, there may be all-wheel-pressure alternatives – much like today’s GLA. It measures four,634mm in length, 1,834mm in width, and 1,658mm in the top, with a wheelbase of two,829mm – rather long for a compact luxurious SUV.

This space consists of the choice of the third row of seats, a primary for this phase. It clearly may be very a great deal a 5+2 in preference to a complete-on seven-seater, of course, and area inside the third row is entirely dependent on wherein you’ve set the second one and primary rows. Access to the last row isn’t always the perfect both, but with a chunk of compromise from all occupants, you could get seven people in right here. The alternative of 7 seats is better than none at all.

Bear in thoughts that boot space is sort of nil with the 1/3 row in the role; however, if you don’t need the 1/3 row, it folds flat and flushes into the ground, in which case you get an entire 560 liters of area (drop the second row, and also you get 1,755 liters).

The rest of the indoors is as nicely appointed as you’d assume of a present-day Merc, with plenty of leather-based, steel, and wood. It even sets itself apart from the A- and B-class vehicles with a few rugged layout elements on the dash and doors. However, you still get the cool turbine-like air-con vents with LED ambient lighting fixtures integrated into them. As is the case with each all-new Mercedes-Benz car, infotainment duties are handled via the all-new MBUX twin-display machine, with every screen measuring up to 10 inches throughout. The device is not the simplest function of the usual host of connectivity options; however, it is an AI-driven voice assistant, augmented fact satellite tv for pc navigation, and a host of electronic motive force aids.

When it comes to powertrain alternatives, there may be four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines – a 1.Three-litre that makes 163hp (GLB 2 hundred), a 2.Zero-litre that makes 221hp (GLB 250) – and one 2.0-liter diesel engine to be had in either 150hp (GLB 200d) or 190hp (GLB 220d) guise. All except the bottom GLB two hundred (it receives the vintage 7G-DCT) will use Mercedes’ new 8G-DCT 8-velocity twin-clutch automated gearbox, and 4Matic all-wheel force could be available. You can even get an off-avenue package and adaptive dampers. And on account that a chunk more overall performance in no way harm anybody, expect a couple of warm AMG variations – a 300hp GLB 35 and a 415hp GLB 45 – to follow soon.

Mercedes-Benz India is preserving a strict ‘we do now not touch upon speculation’ stance approximately whether or not the GLB will be launched in India, but frankly, it might be silly now not to carry it here. Its ambitious styling is certain to be successful with Indian shoppers, as might the 3rd row of seats’ added practicality.

It would suit the route, among the GLA and GLC, with a charge of approximately Rs forty two-forty five lakh, ex-showroom, taking on better-quit versions of the X1 and XC40, and the brand new Q3 as well. Of route, there’s been no word on if and whilst the GLB will come to India, but it’s a safe wager that it will be within the 2nd-half of 2020.

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