There are certain car models from mainstream manufacturers that many people don’t even know exist, and in most cases, the reason is that such products are perceived as unnecessary. The Mercedes-Benz GLB is one of those products. It was introduced in 2019 as something in between the GLA and the GLC, but for most buyers, the latter is a perfect fit; therefore, the GLB wasn’t a blockbuster model. Maybe it wasn’t intended to be one anyway. Which is probably why the second-gen is already here. Initially, the second-gen GLB will be available in two variants in Germany: GLB 250+ with EQ Technology and GLB 350 4MATIC with EQ Technology, with prices (including VAT) starting at €56,095 and €59,068, respectively.
These electric GLBs will replace the EQB, most likely early next year, but at the time of publishing this story, the EQB was still available to order in Germany. For those who don’t fancy all-electric models, a petrol-electric mild-hybrid variant will soon join the lineup. But anyway, the new design looks fairly clean and elegant. Those three-pointer light signatures are part of the brand’s new design language, but the rear fascia looks very familiar to me; it reminds me of the Telluride. Is it just me, or all mass-market cars lately look somewhat similar to each other? I’ll blame the transition phase. There’s a €10,412 Night Edition package for those who seek extra visual oomph factor. Drag co-efficient is claimed to be 0.28 Cd.
The new model has slightly grown in dimensions. It measures 4,732 mm long, 1,861 mm wide and 1,687 mm tall. Luggage capacity at the back is 540 litres (with the rear seats up), while the frunk offers an additional 127 litres of storage. Wheel sizes range between 18- and 20-inches; there are optional 20-inch AMG wheels costing over €2,200. Both models get Comfort Suspension as standard, but if you want Adaptive Adjustable Dampers, that’ll be an extra €738.
The GLB 250+ is a single-motor rear-wheel-drive. The output figures are 200 kW (272 metric hp) and 335 Nm (247 lb-ft). The motor is coupled with a two-speed transmission. The first gear has a short ratio of 11:1, enabling acceleration right from the start, a high towing capacity and great efficiency in urban traffic, while the second gear (ratio: 5:1) is designed for power delivery at high speeds and high efficiency on the motorway.
The official 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time is 7.4 seconds, while the top speed is 210 km/h (130 mph). An 85 kWh NMC battery pack is claimed to offer a WLTP range of anywhere between 542 and 631 km (337-392 mi).
The PSM on the rear axle is claimed to be developed entirely in-house. Battery-to-wheel efficiency over long distances is 93%, the company says.
The magnets in the rotor are arranged in a double-V shape. Another feature is the winding of the stator with so-called hairpin windings. These measures contribute to an especially quiet drive. The PSM also has a significantly lower proportion – almost 0% – of heavy rare earth elements compared to previous motor generations. The high-performance power electronics are equipped with a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter for particularly efficient energy use.
The GLB 350 4MATIC, on the other side, as the name suggests, is a dual-motor AWD variant. In other words, it has an additional 80 kW (109 metric hp) motor on the front axle. The combined figures, however, are 260 kW (353.5 metric hp) and 515 Nm (380 lb-ft). The official 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time is 5.5 seconds, while the top speed remains the same, which is 210 km/h (130 mph). The 85 kWh NMC battery pack remains the same, but the WLTP range in this case is claimed to be anywhere between 521 and 614 km (324-381.5 mi).
The hybrid model combines a new 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo petrol (Miller cycle combustion process) with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
Key highlights inside include the optional MBUX Superscreen with a 14-inch front passenger display and the optional illuminated SKY CONTROL panoramic roof. The roof incorporates 158 stars to mimic a starry night sky. A full-colour head-up display, AR navigation, and Burmester 3D surround sound system can all be found in the options list.
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