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New Mercedes crossover concept gets sporty

The crossover SUV market is so hot that just about every major car manufacturer has one. Mercedes has a couple already in the coupe-like GLA and GLC, so making a GLB concept model that is a little more beefy fits right in. What differentiates this one is its sporty appearance, complete with designer touches. In 2018, with more than 820,000 units sold, SUVs were the strongest segment for Mercedes-Benz, so riding the trend gives Daimler a lot of design room to play.

"We asked ourselves whether there is still space between the GLA and GLC in our successful SUV range. The Concept GLB is the answer to this question," says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales. "The Concept GLB is a durable and practical SUV with nonetheless compact dimensions. Whether it is a generous, seven-seater family vehicle or a versatile leisure-time companion, we are certain that this concept will be of great interest to our customers."

The first thing you notice about the GLB, which was unveiled at the Shanghai auto show in April, is that it looks muscular and fun, like it really is built to do some trail riding. The LED spotlights and prominent roof rack do a lot to promote that.

But first, let's look at what it has to offer on the road and trails.

The GLB is equipped with the permanent all-wheel system, 4MATIC, with variable torque distribution. This sporty all-wheel drive configuration allows the driver to use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to influence the characteristics of 4MATIC. Three characteristic maps are available to control the all-wheel drive clutch, though the system responds flexibly to the current driving situation in any mode. In regular driving operation, the drive program Eco/Comfort is based on an 80:20 distribution (front axle:rear axle), while in Sport it is 70:30. In Off-Road mode, the all-wheel drive clutch acts as an inter- axle differential lock, with the basic distribution a balanced 50:50.

4MATIC components include the power takeoff to the rear axle, which is integrated into the automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multiplate clutch, which is electro-mechanically operated. Via a crown wheel and a ball ramp, an electric motor exerts an axial force on the clutch pack to open or close the plates. The rear axle differential compensates the different paths/rotational speeds of the rear wheels. Daimler says the advantages of this control system are, above all: non-rpm-dependent operation across the entire actuation range, pilot control of the clutch while still stationary, and higher efficiency thanks to the ball ramp concept.

The GLB is powered by the M260 four-cylinder gas engine combined with an 8-speed-DCT dual clutch transmission, with a maximum output of 224 hp and peak torque of 258 lb-ft. The engine block of diecast aluminum with cast iron cylinder liners has CONICSHAPE technology, which is also known in-house as "trumpet-honing." To further minimize piston friction and lower fuel consumption, the cylinder bore is widened at the lower end of the cylinder liners. The resulting conical shape resembles the mouth of a trumpet.

An innovative low-friction oil and optimized piston rings also reduce friction losses. To take account of the higher specific output, the pistons themselves feature cooling ducts. This also ensures more efficient combustion. The balance shafts for smooth running are located in the lower section of the crankcase. To enhance comfort even further, there is a centrifugal pendulum damper in the powertrain.

The aluminum four-valve cylinder head also features CAMTRONIC, a variable valve timing system that allows two-stage adjustment of the valve lift on the intake side of the valve assembly. In the partial-load range, this variable valve lift adjustment allows less air to be fed to the combustion chamber with a smaller valve lift, which leads to lower gas cycle losses. In higher load ranges, the system switches to the higher valve lift to achieve the engine's full power delivery.

The concept has exterior paintwork in "designo cashmere white magno" with high-gloss black parts (e.g., the claddings or integrated roof box) as a contrast, plus discreet orange highlights in the radiator grille and as lettering on the outside mirror housings. Very sporty! The chrome underguard at the front with integral air inlets in a stainless steel look emphasizes the off-roading design, while the rear underguard repeats this theme.

The black roof rails end in a curve at the front and rear, and a roof box is mounted on the rear. The aggressive-tread off-road tires are fitted to 17-in. wheels in a trendy two-color design.

Inside the 182-in.-long vehicle, there are some surprises too. For the first time in a compact model by Mercedes-Benz, a third-row seat is equipped, with two additional single seats that can be recess-flushed into the load compartment floor to increase load capacity. These seats are not just emergency seats; they offer comfortable seating for two medium-sized passengers.

The backrest of the middle seat row is 40:20:40 split-folding, and can be folded down to create a level load surface. The seat surfaces have a 40:60 division. The second row is fore-and-aft adjustable to the front. You can increase luggage space or legroom for occupants in the rear or add legroom in the five-seat configuration.

To facilitate access to the third row, the seats in the second row have an Easy-Entry function: When the unlocking lever on the top outer edge of the backrest is operated, the backrest folds forward and the entire seat can be pushed forward.

The seats, fittings, and door panels are partially lined in "chestnut brown" nappa and nubuk leather, with orange trim strips and seams in a few key places. The center sections of the front seats have two parallel rows of perforations in their woven nubuk leather covers, revealing the orange-colored fabric sub-layer. These extend from the front edge of the seat cushion to the upper edge of the integrated head restraint.

The wood trim elements on the dashboard and center console are open-pore walnut. The walnut panels have a honeycomb pattern that fades out toward the edges. The pedals in the footwell feature decorative inserts in the same material within a high-gloss metal surround, with an identical honeycomb pattern.

The basic architecture of the dashboard corresponds to that of the B-Class, with a widescreen cockpit facing the driver and functions and displays controlled via the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). New features are the off-road-type tubular elements in milled aluminum, which round off the dashboard at the lower end. Below the three round center elements is the air conditioning control panel with an intentionally analog look. The buttons create the impression that they have been milled from a solid aluminum cylinder. It all comes together to give the impression that you are driving a fun, yet luxurious, machine.

The sporty character of the interior continues on the center console. Aluminum tubular elements with a brushed structure in a grab-handle look lend solidity to the design of the components and controls. Along the doors, the SUV character is reinforced by the horizontal grab handle, which forms a robust part of the door panel structure as a machined aluminum tube.

On April 18, 2013, the Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA made waves at its Shanghai auto show debut, presenting a new interpretation of the compact SUV segment with its focus on an elevated coupe design. That model was available one year later and has been quite successful. Will the GLB prove to be the same?

Source: Mercedes-Benz

Published May 2019

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