New Mercedes-Benz GLB To Premiere At 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show

Revealed as a concept at the Shanghai Auto Show in April, the GLB-Class shares the Modular Front Architecture with the A-Class family of models. This translates to front- and all-wheel drive as well as AMG know-how. The GLB 35 has been spied at the Nurburgring, and chances are the GLB 45 will follow with more than 400 horsepower from 2.0 liters of displacement.

Mercedes-Benz Passion reports a wheelbase of 2.83 meters and an overall length of 4.63 meters, enough for the seven-seat arrangement. The GLC-Class measures 2.87 and 4.65 meters, making the compact luxury crossover that bit longer than the GLB-Class. Given these circumstances, the newcomer competes against the likes of the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer and Volkswagen Touran.

It appears the third row of seats can be folded 60:40 in “two easy steps” while the bench can be moved up to 14 centimeters. This gives the owner a choice between legroom and cargo space, and the trunk promises in the ballpark of 500 liters with all three rows in their regular positions. Fold the third row of seats, and you’ll level up to 560 liters.

The three-pointed star is also working on an electric option, expected to be called EQB. Elsewhere in the range, three-cylinder engine options will have to suffice with either a six-speed manual or a dual-clutch transmission. The range is likely to start with the GLB 200 for gasoline options and GLB 180 d for turbo diesel engine options

Codenamed X247, the GLB-Class is something new for Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG alike. Given the popularity of the GLC-Class, there’s no denying the newcomer will be an instant hit with the crossover-loving public.