Online Reporter
THE first-generation Mercedes GLB was something of a curiosity in that many people did not quite understand where it fit in.
Related to the GLA, but capable of seating seven occupants at a push, the GLB was very much like a Nissan X-Trail that went to a private school.
The second-generation GLB has just been revealed abroad, and it is larger, more luxurious and powered by electricity.
This means it effectively replaces the old EQB, too.
The new model boasts a bolder exterior design, and the cabin is roomier, too, with Mercedes claiming to have improved the amount of head and leg room available to rear occupants.
A panoramic roof is now standard.
The vehicle will be offered in both five-seat and seven-seat configurations, and boot space is supplemented by a 127-litre “frunk” under the front bonnet.
But the real party is in the cockpit area, where the GLB is available with a brand-new MBUX “Superscreen” that stretches across the entire dashboard.
Behind its flush glass surface is a 10,25-inch driver display and two 14-inch displays covering the centre and passenger side of the dashboard.
The Superscreen can be individualised through 11 distinct ambient styles.
The infotainment system is powered by the newly developed Mercedes-Benz Operating System, which integrates with artificial intelligence (AI) from both Microsoft and Google.
Its Virtual Assistant function has short-term memory and uses generative AI to enable the kind of complex, multi-turn dialogues that a person might have with a friend.
Furthermore, the highly configurable MBUX infotainment system features high-performance chips and real-time graphics from the Unity Game Engine.
Another striking interior feature is the “floating” centre console that has an additional storage compartment.
What powers the new GLB?
The European market will initially be served with two fully electric variants — the GLB 250+ and GLB 350 4Matic, but the range will soon be expanded to include an entry-level electric vehicle (EV), as well as hybrid models.
The GLB 250+ has a power output of 200kW and a claimed range of up to 631km between charges on the WLTP cycle.
The brawnier GLB 350 4Matic boasts all-wheel drive and a system output of 260kW.
Both feature lithium-ion batteries with a usable capacity of 85 kWh, and the advanced 800-volt electrical system allows 260km of range to be added in just 10 minutes at a fast-charging facility. — IOL Motoring
