Mercedes-Benz’s newest seven-seater compact SUV, the X247 GLB, is currently on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and we managed to photograph two variants, specifically the GLB 200 and the hot AMG GLB 35 4Matic.
As the more practical and spacious alternative to the GLA, the GLB is the first Mercedes compact car to come with the option of seven seats. It measures 4,634 mm long, 1,834 mm wide and 1,658 mm (1,662 mm for the seven-seater version) tall, while its wheelbase is 2,829 mm long, which is a full 100 mm longer than the new B-Class.
Powertrain options start from the Renault-derived 1.33 litre M282 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol in the GLB 200, producing 163 hp at 5,500 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,200 rpm. It’s married to a Getrag-made seven-speed dual clutch transmission, enabling a zero to 100 km/h time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 207 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated between 6.0 and 6.2 litres per 100 km.
Stepping up to the GLB 250 gets you an in-house 2.0 litre M260 mill with 224 hp at 5,800 rpm and 350 Nm from 1,800 to 4,000 rpm. With Mercedes’ new eight-speed 8G-DCT, it will get to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds before hitting 236 km/h, whilst being capable of delivering 7.2 to 7.4 litres per 100 km.
The current range-topper is the AMG GLB 35 4Matic, which is also powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that’s fettled to make 306 PS from 5,800 to 6,100 rpm and 400 Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm. An AMG Performance 4Matic AWD system is present, but unlike the A 35 cars, the GLB 35 uses an eight-speed AMG Speedshift DCT dual-clutch transmission instead of a seven-speed unit.
Performance-wise, the AMG GLB 35 will do the century sprint in 5.2 seconds, before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Average fuel consumption is 7.5 litres per 100 km following NEDC regulations.
Design-wise, the boxy SUV features rectangular headlights flanking a six-point grille, while the side profile is dominated by the muscular shoulders, short overhangs, upright glasshouse and distinctive window line kink. The rectangular theme extends to the LED tail light graphics as well. Options include LED and Multibeam LED headlights, along with LED fog lights.
Inside, the GLB’s cabin gets a more angular design approach, with a large cutout in the dash for the screen, as well as large tubular trim piece made out of aluminium-look plastic. The turbine-style air vents and the massive flatscreen display panel remain, as is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which is available with mood-lifting Energising comfort control that can now link up with selected Garmin smartwatches to improve its precision.
Third-row passengers get a one-touch Easy Entry function for better access to the seats, as well as twin cupholders and non-slip cubby holes, each with its own USB port.
The AMG GLB 35, on the other hand, gets the customary go-fast AMG bits such as the Panamericana grille, two round exhaust pipes, AMG roof spoiler, the standard 19-inch AMG five-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in tantalum grey (upgradable to 21-inch items), and the optional AMG Night package that adds on high-gloss black trim and black chrome-plated tailpipes.
On the inside, red accents highlight the model’s sportiness, although this particular model on display gets white contrast stitching to go with the two-tone perforated leather seats. Carbon-fibre trimmings can be added as well, and the standard sport steering wheel can be upgraded to the AMG Performance steering wheel.
As for driver assistance systems, the GLB gets Distronic adaptive cruise control that adapts the speed to corners, crossroads and roundabouts, plus automatic restarts if Active Parking Assist is selected. The Active Steering Assist function now also features Active Lane Change Assist that provides hands-free lane changes.
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