Photo: Mercedes Benz
A recent report from British automotive media suggests Mercedes's baby G-Wagon will go into production five years from now, in September 2019.
CAR Magazine's latest report suggests it will be called the GLB and already bears the development codename X245. Styling will be similar to the Energ-G Force SUV concept that the automaker showed during the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Under the new Mercedes-Benz strategy, the G-Class acts like a flagship to the SUV range, lending its letter to all future models. The replacement for the GLK will thus be called a GLC, indicating it's in the same respective class as the C-Class sedan, while the M-Class facelift is rumored to be called the GLE.
The GLB would thus sit above the GLA crossover, potentially offering more space and touring capabilities as well. CAR Magazine suggests the baby G-Wagon will be based on MFA2, the second generation of Mercedes' compact car platform that made its inaugural appearance in 2011 with the B-Class.
While the G-Wagon is like a posh retro-SUV for the rich, the GLB will be more like a tougher version of the GLA with G-Class styling. It won't be anywhere near as expensive or luxurious. However, it should prove a good fit for all those who aspire to own the G or find the GLA not capable enough.
If all this sounds a bit familiar, that's because the GLB was being considered way before Mercedes decided to change its naming strategy. At that time, it was rumored to be called the X-Class and arrive in 2018.
Mercedes is by no means the only company looking to expand into the SUV segment with front-wheel drive platforms. BMW, for instance, will use the UKL platform that underpins its new MINI to make the next X1, which will also gain a coupe cousin called the X2.
Under the new Mercedes-Benz strategy, the G-Class acts like a flagship to the SUV range, lending its letter to all future models. The replacement for the GLK will thus be called a GLC, indicating it's in the same respective class as the C-Class sedan, while the M-Class facelift is rumored to be called the GLE.
The GLB would thus sit above the GLA crossover, potentially offering more space and touring capabilities as well. CAR Magazine suggests the baby G-Wagon will be based on MFA2, the second generation of Mercedes' compact car platform that made its inaugural appearance in 2011 with the B-Class.
While the G-Wagon is like a posh retro-SUV for the rich, the GLB will be more like a tougher version of the GLA with G-Class styling. It won't be anywhere near as expensive or luxurious. However, it should prove a good fit for all those who aspire to own the G or find the GLA not capable enough.
If all this sounds a bit familiar, that's because the GLB was being considered way before Mercedes decided to change its naming strategy. At that time, it was rumored to be called the X-Class and arrive in 2018.
Mercedes is by no means the only company looking to expand into the SUV segment with front-wheel drive platforms. BMW, for instance, will use the UKL platform that underpins its new MINI to make the next X1, which will also gain a coupe cousin called the X2.
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