Mercedes-Benz's second foray into the hotly contested small SUV sector is imminent, with its new GLB set to be revealed in concept form at the Shanghai motor show later this month.
REVEALED: Mercedes-Benz targets Audi Q3 with rugged GLB concept
The brand has released its first official image of the car in the form of a rendered view of its interior. It takes clear influence from the latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class, with a large combined digital instrument and infotainment display above AMG GT-style air vents.
The GLB, sitting above the Mercedes-Benz GLA and below the larger Mercedes-Benz GLC, will be a fully fledged rival to cars such as the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40 and Jaguar E-Pace. The concept version appearing in the coming weeks will be close to production spec, with the finished car making its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Alongside regular variants, a hot AMG 35 variant was recently spotted testing. Visual differences include larger wheels to house uprated brakes, a larger air intake on the lower front bumper and a redesigned grille pattern echoing that of other AMG models.
The design of the rear bumper has also been revised to allow for the addition of a dual-exit exhaust system, while the car's lower stance hints at a sportier suspension set-up.
Using the same 2.0-litre mild hybrid petrol engine found in the new A35 hot hatch, the GLB 35 will produce around 302bhp. It will be joined by a range-topping GLB 45 after launch.
Previous images showed the GLB lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in standard form.
Due to arrive in showrooms before the year is out, the GLB mixes old-school G-Class influences, including a boxy profile and an upright rear end, with contemporary details, such as the brand's softer front-end design and LED headlights.
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My boomerang wont come back
Renault crap engine to pull this huge heavy donkey. Anyone smitten and daft who buys because of the snob value will soon be disappointed and flog it and will not buy another MB, hence my boomerang wont come back
@ 5 wheels
Christ! 5 wheels....I hadnt noticed the Renault/Nissan engine bit, I was pretty enthusiastic about one of these for my wife until I read that.....no bloody way am I paying for a Mercedes-Benz with one of the crappiest engines to stalk this planet.
Nice V6 petrol would have been good!
Update time....
Yes, the camo does it no favours,and yes, most of the opinions derided it for its Bauhaus interior, bu t equally, most just don’t like Mercedes, and yes, most aren’t being polite about it, my opinion changed?, well yes and no, everyone knows I’m not an SUV fan, but I’m not going to pour Petrol over it and set it on fire.....
Brain washing.....
Yes, it’s another posh SUV, and yes, in the Far East where owning a Mercedes is top of most People’s list this SUV will sell heck it might even go down well in Trumpland,and to be honest Suv’s Like this are bought as a status symbol not for the purpose they allegedly where designed for.