This rendering shows what is dubbed the Concept GLB but likely is near production-ready.
In a world rapidly shifting from sedans and coupes to sport and crossover-utility vehicles, manufacturers leave open any potential “white space” at their own peril.
That translates into the need to rapidly expand the ute line-up, and Mercedes-Benz will be adding yet another member of its family this year. And we’ll be able to get a good idea of what’s coming with the unveiling of a prototype, dubbed the Concept GLB, at Auto Shanghai later this month.
There’ve been numerous sightings of the GLB, wearing various degrees of camouflage, undergoing testing around the world. For the moment, the Schwabian automaker is lifting the veil of secrecy only slightly, offering a teaser image of the forward part of the Concept GLB’s cabin.
That said, it’s a revealing picture – or more, accurately, a rendering – with what appears to be a rather simplified approach to both the center console and instrument panel. There’s a strong, horizontal layout, dominated by a single, wide digital display panel that floats in front of the dashboard, rather than being built into it. It’s not the largest display of that type we’ve seen. Byton showed off a concept car at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last January that featured a 48-inch-wide display, but the Concept GLB screen is nonetheless impressive.
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It's the Mercedes GLA crossover that has been gaining the real momentum as the automaker seeks to cover all of its bases.
The other design element that stands out is the use of three round air vents mounted where the center stack of a traditional Mercedes would rise up into the IP.
There are few to no conventional knobs and switches visible anywhere in the image, other than the touchpad on the center console. Clearly, Mercedes has designed the Concept GLB around its new MBUX user interface. That system, first launched on the latest-generation A-Class, functions more like Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Home system, allowing an extensive array of voice commands to be entered in normal speech.
Beyond that, the extensive use of wood trim and metal accenting gives the Concept GLB cabin a modern and reasonably luxurious feel. It might be the sign of what to expect from a Baby G-Class, but this is not the stripped down Baby Benz of the past.
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Spy shots of the GLB itself suggest the crossover will take a fairly no-nonsense approach, with a very vertical front end, with a two or three-bar grille and a large Benz tri-star logo. The roofline stands tall, no coupe-like curve to limit rear-seat headroom.
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The GLB will slot into a narrow but clear gap between the now familiar GLA and larger GLC models. Expect it to share key underpinnings with the A- series, which would mean it’s been designed for front-wheel-drive. Some sources suggest it may only come to the U.S. in all-wheel-drive configurations, however.
Look for only a four-cylinder gas package for the American edition, and a diesel for Europe. A Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 is reportedly going through testing already. Few would be surprised, meanwhile, if an electrified version also follows.
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We’ll report more following the GLB’s debut in Shanghai.