Malaysians have an insatiable appetite for SUVs, and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) is not going to miss out on it. Following the triple threat SUV launch of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, GLE Coupe and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe last Friday, MBM announced through its social media channels today that the first ever Mercedes-Benz GLB will be launched in Malaysia on the 22th of September 2020.
First unveiled globally last June, the GLB is the latest entry in the German carmaker’s compact cars line-up, slotting in between the GLA and GLC. Despite that though, it’s actually quite a lot closer in size to the GLC, measuring just approximately 20 mm shorter and 50 mm narrower, but 19 mm taller on the seven-seater variant.
That’s right – the GLB is Mercedes-Benz’s first compact SUV to be offered with third-row seats, which can accommodate up to adults of 168 cm in height. Cargo space is rated at 560 litres with the third row seats, and 1,755 litres with it folded down.
The third-row seats probably contributed to the boxy shape of the compact SUV, but Mercedes-Benz has decided to go with a proper rugged look on the GLB with the addition of distinct skid plates on the outside, as well as tubular trim pieces on the centre console, dashboard, as well as the door handles on the inside.
As usual, MBM will only be announcing the details of the variants offered closer or on the launch day itself, but we expect to see all three petrol variants of the Mercedes-Benz GLB available globally to be announced here in Malaysia.
On the lowest end is the GLB 200, powered by the M282 1.33-litre turbocharged four-pot engine co-developed with Renault to provide 163 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.1 seconds, onward to a top speed of 207 km/h.
Stepping up to the GLB 250 4Matic, and you’ll get the M260 two-litre turbocharged inline-four engine which makes 224 hp and 350 Nm. With power sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed DCT and 4Matic AWD system, the GLB 250 4Matic does 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 236 km/h.
At the top of the model range is the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35, with a M270 turbocharged two-litre four-cylinder engine underneath the hood that delivers 306 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Paired to an eight-speed DCT, the GLB 35 is capable of executing race starts, reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds – thanks to its AMG-specific 4Matic AWD system – onward to an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
With the GLB scheduled to be launched here in Malaysia through an online live event just a little more than a week from now, are there any surprises you’d like to see? Let us know in the comments section below! As always, keep your eyes peeled on this site as we bring you the latest news as soon as we get them.
In the meantime, check out our coverage of the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4Matic from the IAA Frankfurt motor show last year!
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