While you consider Mercedes, what springs to thoughts? Luxurious saloons? Convertibles? Coupés? Reality is the model is famed for all of these issues, however nowadays, its lifeblood is SUVs. I imply, it now has 11 of them on the books, versus six saloons, 4 drop-tops and two coupés. Successfully, it lists virtually twice as many off-roaders and crossovers because it does four-door household vehicles. That’s fairly a thought.
The newest addition to its ranks of high-riding choices is the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, which on paper guarantees to be one in every of its most versatile. Not solely does it declare to ship the type of pace and agility you anticipate from an AMG, however it additionally has the {hardware} to go as far off the crushed observe as a few of its extra rugged cousins. Household-friendly versatility can be very a lot in proof, because it touts a big boot and the power to hold seven. And since it is on the extra compact finish of the agency’s SUV spectrum, it must be straightforward to stay with and gained’t value the earth to run.
Below the marginally boxy and bluff-fronted exterior (it’s purported to ape the long-lasting G-Wagon), this AMG-fettled GLB takes a lot of its cues from the smaller A35 hatchback and saloon. It makes use of the identical turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that delivers 302bhp and a really helpful 295lb ft, albeit at a surprisingly excessive 3000rpm. Like its lower-slung counterparts, the GLB mates this motor to an eight-speed automated gearbox and 4Matic four-wheel drive system that may cut up the engine’s torque from 100% to the entrance wheels, 50% to every axle or something in between.
Suspension adjustments run to bespoke steering knuckles and management arms, plus a stiffer subframe meeting. The multi-link rear axle will get stronger hubs which might be designed to take larger lateral hundreds, whereas the springs and dampers are stiffer and adaptive dampers are customary. There’s additionally a brand new speed-sensitive electrically assisted steering and bigger AMG brakes (350mm discs on the entrance and 330mm on the rear). What you don’t get is the Off Highway Engineering Pack, so there’s no hill descent management or particular driver modes for dealing with unfastened surfaces.
Visually, the GLB advantages from the standard AMG upgrades, together with the gaping trademark Panamericana entrance grille, a deep entrance splitter, twin exit exhausts and a big tailgate spoiler. Multi-spoke 20in rims are customary (a 21in design accessible) and wrapped within the ubiquitous Michelin Pilot Tremendous Sport 4S rubber.
Inside, the usual GLB cabin is garnished with the acquainted AMG three-spoke multifunction wheel, some chunkier entrance seats and metal-finished pedals.
