Mercedes GLB to come in standard & long wheelbase variants - Report

11/01/2017 - 18:36 Mercedes GLB, Mercedes-Benz Sagar Parikh

Mercedes-Benz planning a real BMW X1 rival.

Mercedes-Benz plans to extend its range of compact models from five to eight by the end of the decade. According to an article from Autocar, one of the three new compact models will be a compact SUV which could be called Mercedes GLB.

Mercedes GLA facelift teaser — The Mercedes GLB will be positioned above the Mercedes GLA (pictured).

The Mercedes GLB will be placed below the Mercedes GLC and will compete with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Like the BMW X1, the Mercedes GLB will be made in standard and long-wheelbase variants. However, unlike the BMW X1 long-wheelbase version, the Mercedes GLB long-wheelbase will offer seats for seven passengers.

Also differing from the BMW X1 long-wheelbase is presumably the global availability of the Mercedes GLB long-wheelbase. Unlike the former, which is China-only, it will likely be sold in the world market. The report maintains that like the next-gen Mercedes A-Class, the Mercedes GLB long-wheelbase will be produced in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Mercedes-Benz is planning a saloon equivalent of the Mercedes A-Class hatchback as well. A rendering from Autocar provides an idea of the Audi A3 sedan competitor.

Also Read: Mercedes CLE could be company’s new “aerodynamics champion.”

The Mercedes GLB will be formed on the next-gen Mercedes A-Class' MFA2 platform. The significantly upgraded version of the MFA platform will support different wheelbase lengths and track widths, and this, senior Mercedes-Benz officials have said, will allow greater visual differentiation between each individual model.

The MFA2 platform will also spawn a compact sedan which will be showcased in concept form at Auto Shanghai 2017 in April and be made in a China-only long-wheelbase version too.

[Source: Autocar]