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Mercedes-Benz Is Testing Upcoming GLB, Spyshots Reveal

Mercedes-Benz has begun testing the mule of the upcoming GLB, the GLA’s brother. Instead of a baby G-Class, the GLB’s chassis mule is a slightly modified body of the ongoing GLA. Some rumors expected the GLB to be a fully-fledged off-roader, like the G-Class, but smaller.
Mercedes-Benz GLB chassis mule 18 photos
Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
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However, our extensive photo gallery provided by our friends at SB-Medien reveals a vehicle that is not much different when compared to a GLA.

Right off the bat, we notice an increased ground clearance. Suspension travel is also increased, and the wheel wells are also bigger than those of the GLA. Thanks to this uncamouflaged prototype, which is what the industry calls a “mule,” we can easily spot the differences when compared to a regular GLA.

The upcoming GLB is expected to come to market around two years from now, as an MY2019 vehicle. By then, Mercedes-Benz is set to launch its MFA2 platform, an evolution of the current MFA.

The latter is the basis for the ongoing GLA, A-Class, B-Class, CLA, and all their derivatives. The next step would be a lighter technical architecture with enhanced modularity and features.

Aside from the increased ground clearance, this prototype does not give away too many secrets. We expect Mercedes-Benz to keep testing mules for the coming months, and then transition to a covered-up body of the upcoming GLB. The latter might not resemble the ongoing GLA in shape and style.

Judging by the way the prototype’s body looks, we do not notice significant differences in wheelbase and track. However, the massive cuts in the wheel arches might indicate a slight change in both areas. Concerning track, the body was not modified, but minute changes might have taken place.

Just like the GLA, the upcoming GLB might have all-wheel-drive as standard. The hardcore off-roade part of the rumors regarding the “baby G-Class” seems to have been ditched for a more road-going version, though.
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About the author: Sebastian Toma
Sebastian Toma profile photo

Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland.
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