The Mercedes-Benz GLB-class is a front- or all-wheel-drive premium SUV of the mid-size category (although the company itself calls it compact), which combines a brutal design, a practical and functional interior with a five- or seven-seat layout, a modern technical component and “adult »A list of progressive options ... This crossover is addressed, first of all, to family people with children and lovers of outings in nature with a large company ...
The official premiere of the off-road vehicle, which took the place between the GLA and GLC models in the model range of the German automaker, took place on June 10, 2019 at a special event in the US state of Utah, but its eponymous harbinger (in conceptual guise) was presented back in April at the Shanghai International Auto Show ... it reached the Russian market only in the spring of 2020.
At its core, the Mercedes-Benz GLB turned out to be a really completely new car, although it was built using A-class units and assemblies, but it became the first "classic SUV" of this format in the palette of the automaker from Stuttgart, in the cabin of which there was a place to accommodate three rows of seats ...
Outside, the Mercedes-Benz GLB-class differs in "chopped" forms (for which they even managed to dub it "mini-Gelendvagen"), which makes it look brutal, but at the same time quite attractive, balanced and "thoroughbred".
The front of the five-door has a stylish look, completely devoid of aggression - neat blocks of LED headlights, a branded "polygon" of the radiator grille with a large "three-beam star" in the center and a raised bumper with a protective strip "like aluminum" at the bottom. In profile, the car is perceived as a real off-road vehicle - expressive plastic of the sidewalls, the sill line curved closer to the rear, small overhangs and rounded-square wheel arches. But from the rear, the SUV looks quite sophisticated, without any hint of masculinity - elegant lanterns with an interesting pattern, a "complex" trunk lid and an unpretentious bumper with two "curly" exhaust pipes.
Despite the fact that Mercedes-Benz GLB itself is called a compact crossover, in fact it is a "small representative of the mid-size category" with the corresponding dimensions: the length of the car is 4634 mm, of which the center distance extends by 2829 mm, its width fits in 1834 mm, and the height is 1658 mm (in the seven-seat version - 1662 mm).
Interior
The interior design of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is based on other models of the brand - a pair of 7-inch screens placed under a single glass dominate here: the left one acts as a virtual instrument cluster, and the right one is at the mercy of the MBUX infotainment complex. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with a raised rim and a stylish center console topped with three "turbines" of ventilation deflectors and an expressive air conditioning control unit fit perfectly into the interior decoration.
The car interior is tailored exclusively from premium materials - high-quality plastics, high-quality leather, aluminum, etc.
By default, the "apartments" of the off-road vehicle have a five-seater layout, but as an option, a third row of seats can be installed here (however, only passengers up to 1.68 m tall will sit comfortably in these places). In the front part of the passenger compartment, there are ergonomic seats with distinct lateral support, filling with optimal density and wide adjustment intervals. On the second row there is a well-profiled sofa with a backrest divided into three parts (in a ratio of 40:20:40), which can be tilted in seven positions, which also has a longitudinal adjustment in the range of 140 mm for a surcharge.
The Germans are silent on how roomy a car trunk is with a seven-seat layout, but, most likely, its volume in this case does not exceed 200 liters. In a five-seater car, the cargo compartment can "absorb" at least 560 liters of luggage "under the shelf", and with the second row moved forward as much as possible - already 739 liters. In a two-seater configuration, a flat area is formed, and the volume of the "hold" is increased to 1755 liters.
Specifications
For the Mercedes-Benz GLB-class, a wide range of modifications is announced, equipped with four-cylinder engines, both petrol and diesel:
- In service with the basic petrol version GLB 200 there is an M282 unit with a working volume of 1.3 liters with a turbocharging, direct injection, a 16-valve timing and a variable valve timing system, which generates 163 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1620-4000 rpm.
- Further down the hierarchy is the gasoline option. GLB 250 4Matic - under its hood is a 2.0-liter M260 engine with a turbocharger, direct "power" technology, phase shifters at the inlet and outlet and 16 valves, developing 224 hp. at 5800 rpm and 350 Nm of peak thrust at 1800-4000 rpm.
- Diesel modifications are based on a 2.0-liter OM 654 turbocharged engine with common rail injection and a 16-valve DOHC timing belt, which is available in two power levels:
- on version GLB 200 d/GLB 200 d 4Matic its output is 150 hp. at 3400-4440 rpm and 320 Nm of rotational potential at 1400-2600 rpm;
- and on performance GLB 220 d 4Matic - 190 h.p. at 3800 rpm and 400 Nm of torque at 1600-2400 rpm.
In tandem with a 1.3-liter engine, a 7-band 7G-DCT "robot" works, while the rest are assigned to an 8-speed 8G-DCT robotic box. In combination with the basic gasoline and diesel units, a front-wheel drive transmission is installed, and for more powerful options by default (and a 150-horsepower diesel engine for an additional charge), a 4Matic all-wheel drive system with a multi-plate rear wheel clutch is offered.
By the way, the clutch in the 4Matic transmission works with constant preload: even in the most "relaxed" Eco and Comfort modes, 20% of the thrust is always transferred back, while in the "off-road" mode, the moment is divided between the axles already in equal shares.
From zero to 100 km / h, the crossover accelerates after 6.9-9.3 seconds, and its maximum capabilities do not exceed 201-236 km / h.
Gasoline versions in a combined mode consume from 6 to 7.4 liters of fuel for every "hundred" of run, and diesel - from 4.9 to 5.5 liters.
Design features
At the heart of the Mercedes-Benz GLB is the modular "front-wheel drive" platform MFA2 with a transversely oriented power plant and monocoque body, the structure of which consists of more than 60% of strong and high-strength grades of steel.
"In a circle" the car is equipped with independent suspensions with passive shock absorbers and anti-roll bars: on the front axle - a MacPherson-type system, on the rear - a multi-link architecture. As an option, the five-door can be equipped with an adaptive chassis with electronically controlled shock absorbers.
By default, the crossover relies on rack and pinion steering and active electric power assistance. All wheels of the SUV are equipped with disc brakes (ventilated at the front), working in conjunction with ABS, EBD and other modern electronics.
Options and prices
In the Russian market, Mercedes-Benz GLB is offered with both gasoline and diesel engines in four trim levels to choose from - Comfort, Style, Progressive and Sport.
The basic version of the car is available only with a 163-horsepower engine (GLB 200) at a price of 2,520,000 rubles, and the list of its equipment is formed: seven airbags, 17-inch alloy wheels, ABS, ESP, artificial leather seat upholstery, media center with 10-inch screen, virtual instrument cluster, heated front seats, LED headlights and lanterns, single-zone "climate", electric fifth door, "cruise" and some other "bells and whistles".
For a crossover with the same engine, but in the Style configuration, they ask from 2,660,000 rubles, and for a basic diesel engine and four-wheel drive, you will have to pay another 250,000 rubles. The GLB 250 4Matic version (with Progressive and higher) cannot be bought for less than 3,340,000 rubles, and the top-end Sport version will cost from 3,500,000 rubles with a 224-horsepower petrol four, and if you want a 190-horsepower diesel unit , then you will need to add another 20,000 rubles.
The most "packed" SUV boasts: fog lights, a car park, heated leather steering wheel, paddle shifters, a rear view camera, extended interior lighting, 19-inch wheels, electric drive and heated mirrors and other "chips" ... It is also worth noting that a wide range of additional options is offered for the five-door.
