One dealer was reminded by the GLK’s boxiness by the “baby G Class”.
The first reports about a G-Class-inspired GLB, which would slot between GLA and GLC, were published around four years ago. Since 2018, spy shots of the GLB have been released to confirm the rumor that it is a compact crossover model in Mercedes’ extended compact car range. According to new information, the GLB was recently shown to American dealers as a preproduction model along with the A-Class Sedan. This is another car that will be coming to the U.S.
The meeting was a chance for dealers to learn about the standard layout of the crossover, which is five-seat. An optional seven-seat configuration will also be available. One dealer commented that the GLB’s boxy appearance reminded him a lot of the GLK’s boxiness. The GLB is a small, functional SUV that’s more of a people-mover than the GLA.
The “baby G-Class” as it has been described will ride on the same MFA2 platform as the new A-Class hatchback and all of the other front-wheel-drive-based compact cars Mercedes The GLB is expected to be launched in the coming years. The GLB will likely be produced in Aguascalientes Mexico, at a new factory that was established through a partnership between Daimler Nissan. The U.S. version will go on sale in 2019’s last quarter. There is no word on the pricing but we can guess that it will be between the $33,400 GLA or the $40,050 GLC.
The A-Class Sedan will be assembled at the same facility until then. It will go on sale in late 2012 for the U.S. and Europe. Mercedes already announced a sedan version for the new-gen A-Class. However, it is a long-wheelbase derivative made in China. The CN-spec model is shown above. We don’t expect any major changes to the regular model, except for the shorter rear doors.
It will be available in the U.S. with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine of 2.0-liter and a seven speed dual-clutch auto transmission. This will make it the company’s entry-level model. It will also come under the $32,700 CLA. Mercedes claims that the A-Class hatchback will not be available in the U.S., as it isn’t popular there.
The star-shaped company has a busy future. Dietmar Exler, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, revealed plans to launch a new model every two months for the next few years. This will include a “first-ever or completely redesigned” vehicle.