At the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz GLB: bobbin lace

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"Today, one in three cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz is an SUV, and one in four belongs to the compact family. Therefore, a compact SUV like the GLB combines the winning genes of our two segments with higher sales volume, "said Britta Seeger , a member of the Board of Directors of Daimler AG and responsible for Sales.

But the truth is that the new Mercedes-Benz GLB, which has a length of 4,634 meters, can hardly be called compact, which makes it stand out a few centimeters from a normal parking space. A Class C, the base of the GLC that is the upper echelon in the SUV range, leaves the measuring tape at an almost identical figure: 4,686 m, while its compact brother, Class B , measures just 4,419 meters and its battle is lower in ten centimeters to that of the new GLB which is 2,829 m.

That wheelbase was the only way to locate a third row of two individual and retractable seats , in which two people with a maximum height of 1.68 meters can travel and at the same time provide the cabin of the GLB with a spacious feeling. Perhaps for that reason the new Mercedes has been equipped with a body design of robust proportions, more 'quadradotas', which remind us of the classic style of the first designs of off-road vehicles, with an erect front and short front and rear overhangs.

In this way, the height to the ceiling in the first row of seats amounts to 1,069 millimeters, an unprecedented level in the segment . Only an ascending line of the mount line at the height of the C-pillar breaks that lateral monotony in its design.

The boot capacity is now 570 liters with the five seats and the rear in its most delayed position

The trunk of the GLB also benefits from these proportions, whose capacity is now 570 liters with the five seats and the rear in its most delayed position, surpassing the 455 liters of the Class B from which it comes and even the 500 liters of its older brother , the Mercedes-Benz GLC . If we move forward the second row of seats adjustable lengthwise 14 cm, which is standard in the Spanish market; the volume increases up to 760 liters and only if we drive with the seven seats occupied the boot capacity is reduced to 150 liters with load up to the roof.

Engine range

The new Mercedes-Benz GLB offers the well-known diesel and gasoline engines of four cylinders renewed thoroughly for greater efficiency with the passage of the different re-sterilizations , deepening in an increase of power and in the reduction of emissions. Two are petrol the GLB 200 with the 1.33 liter engine of Renault origin with 163 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque and the GLB 250 4MATIC with a two-liter engine displacement and 224 hp and a torque of 350 Nm . The gasoline models are three that have the same two-liter engine with three power stages: 150 hp and 320 Nm of torque for the GLB 200 d, 150 hp and 320 Nm for the GLB 200 d 4MATIC and 190 hp and 400 Nm for the GLB 220 d 4 MATIC. The two-liter diesel engine (OM 654q) is equipped with an expanded version of the exhaust gas treatment system that is Euro 6d certified.

The basic model, the GLB 200 can optionally equip the 4MATIC system as standard in the upper ones , an all-wheel drive system that can be operated by the Dynamic Select switch for a 'Eco / Comfort' driving program with a distribution of the 80% torque on the front axle and 20% on the rear; relationship that in 'Sport' mode goes to 70/30 and in 'Off-Road' mode it distributes equally on both axes assuming the disc clutch the blocking function. If we want to make intensive, non-abusive use, outside the asphalt there is a technical package with a tilt and attack angle display and the DSR to descend steep slopes that automatically maintains a preselected speed between 2 and 18 km / h.

This model is available with three finishes in our country: Progressive, Night and Edition 1

The interior design does not depart from the already known models of the German brand. The high definition floating screen is generously sized and you can choose between four display modes: Modern Classic, Sport, Progressive and Discreet where information is minimized. Externally, there are three finishes available in our country: the Progressive series as standard and the AMG Line option, with 19 "alloy wheels, diamond grille and specific front and rear skirts and the Night package with various black inserts such as mirror housings or the lath in the waistline; in addition to Edition 1, an exclusive model on the occasion of the launch of the GLB, with 20 "wheels.

At the wheel

We tried three versions on the Malaga roads of the Guadalhorce valley. The first is the Mercedes AMG GLB 35 4 MATIC that stands out both for its appearance and its performance with a two-liter engine supercharged by two turbochargers that provide 306 HP of power and 50 Nm of torque that allow it to stop the clock at acceleration 0- 100 km / h in just 5.2 seconds thanks to the AMG Performance 4MATIC variable all-wheel drive from the front-wheel drive to the power distribution between both axles and the 8-speed AMG Speedshift DCT.

It has five driving programs, including one for slippery surfaces where power, torque and change are softened. It goes without saying that its driving is convincing, although many of the regional roads of the route were limited to 50, despite its breadth and little turning.

So fast you can go with the Mercedes-Benz GLB 250 4 MATIC and more relaxed, especially if you opt for the adjustable damping system adjustable on the oil flow of the shock absorbers electronically that allows the driver to choose the most satisfactory suspension either on roads with bad signs to overcome the thousand and one types of urban speed reducers. 224 hp that provide us with 236 km / h of maximum speed and accelerate from 0 to 100 km / in 6.9 seconds but without having to pay so much attention to driving and sweat less than with the AMG GLB 35 4 MATIC. More reasonable is the Mercedes-Benz GLB 220 d 4MATIC , less abrupt when stepping on the accelerator and just as blunt that it stays at 217 km / h and 7.6 seconds in acceleration.

When it's time to make a decision and knowing the prices of the Mercedes-Benz GLB that is already on sale, they start at 42,675 euros of the GLB 200 d , going through the 47,350 of the GLB 220 d 4 MATIC, the 55,000 of the GLB 250 4 MATIC gasoline without knowing date and price of the AMG variant. If we take our favorite the 220 d 4 MATIC compared to its older brother the GLC 220 d 4MATIC, it means a saving of nine thousand euros less for benefits and somewhat better consumption (thanks to a lower weight), greater luggage volume and possibility of Seven occupants Each one has to dilute between rationality (GLB) and heart (GLC) for its harmony of lines, but for tastes colors.

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