With the Concept GLB at Auto Shanghai (April 18 to 25, 2019), Mercedes-Benz shows what SUV ideas on the company’s compact car platform might also be realized alongside the GLA as a sporty all-rounder. While the latter promises progressive driving enjoyment with its coupé-like lines, the Concept GLB places the emphasis on spaciousness and robustness. The concept car has space for up to seven occupants thanks to its long wheelbase. A number of sturdy features signal that the Concept GLB feels right at home on rough farm tracks.

“We asked ourselves whether there is still space between the GLA and GLC in our successful SUV range. The Concept GLB is the answer to this question. With it we are demonstrating the creative ideas we have for this segment, too”, says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales. “The Concept GLB is a durable and practical SUV with nonetheless compact dimensions. Whether it is a generous, seven-seater family vehicle or a versatile leisure time companion: we are certain that this concept will be of great interest to our customers.” Customers highly appreciate the varied SUV portfolio of Mercedes-Benz. To date, more than six million customers worldwide have purchased a Mercedes-Benz SUV. In 2018, with more than 820,000 units sold, the SUVs were the strongest segment for Mercedes-Benz.

SUV genes skilfully brought to the fore: Exterior design

The Mercedes-Benz Concept GLB has a distinctive presence in the world of compact SUVs with its muscular proportions. The clear, surface-accentuated contours with reduced lines and precise joints convey effortless superiority and modernity. The upright front section with its striking MULTIBEAM LED headlamps is clear evidence of off-road genes, as are the short overhangs at the front and rear. The long wheelbase and the functional greenhouse are the decisive factors providing generous spaciousness for up to seven occupants.

The muscular and sensuously contoured vehicle shoulder dominates the side view, an effect reinforced by the rising waistline. The contiguous doors improve ease of access and keep the door apertures free of soiling. All-round protective claddings divide the overall proportions and emphasise the vehicle’s off-road character.

The harmonious colour concept has exterior paintwork in designo cashmere white magno with high-gloss black mounted parts (e.g. the claddings or integrated roof box) as a contrast, plus discreet orange highlights in the radiator grille and as lettering on the outside mirror housings.

The chrome underguard at the front with integral air inlets in a stainless steel look emphasises the off-road qualities. The rear underguard echoes this theme, creating a balanced overall picture.

Extra show car elements: equipped for expeditions

With a series of distinctive extra elements the concept vehicle exhibits a particularly robust character. At the front and rear, two shrouds emerge from the roof frame and accommodate LED spotlights acting as ambient lighting and orientation aids when driving off-road.

The black roof rails end in a curve at the front and rear. A roof box is mounted on the rear area. The rough-treaded off-road tyres are on robust 17-inch wheels in a bicolour design.

High-quality finish and very spacious: the interior

In design terms the interior of the Concept GLB reveals its membership of the new Mercedes-Benz compact car family, but as a showcar and SUV it has a special leather features and special trim elements. And for the first time in a compact model by Mercedes-Benz, a third seat row with two additional single seats that can be recessed flush into the load compartment floor to increase load capacity. These seats are far more than emergency seats, and offer comfortable seating for two medium-sized occupants.

Make space: flexible seat arrangement in the second and third row

The backrest of the middle seat row is 40:20:40 split-folding, and can be folded down to create a level load surface. The seat surfaces have a 40:60 division. The second seat row is fore-and-aft adjustable by 140 mm – by 90 mm to the front to increase luggage space or legroom for occupants right in the rear, and by 50 mm to the rear if particularly generous legroom is required in a five-seat configuration. Eight-stage seat backrest inclination adjustment in the second seat row also facilitates adaptation according to the current space or comfort requirements.

To facilitate access to the third seat row, the seats in the second row have an Easy-Entry function: when the unlocking lever on the top outer edge of the backrest is operated, the backrest folds forward and the entire seat can be pushed forward. A total of four child seats can be attached in the second and third seat rows.

Contrast in chestnut: exclusive leather and open-pored walnut

The seats, fittings and door panels are partially lined in nappa and nubuk leather, the predominant colour tone being “chestnut brown”. Echoing the exterior highlights, there are orange trim strips and seams in just a few places. The centre sections of the front seats have two parallel rows of perforations in their woven nubuk leather covers, revealing the orange-coloured fabric sub-layer. These extend from the front edge of the seat cushion to the upper edge of the integrated head restraint.

The wood trim elements on the dashboard and centre console are of open-pored walnut. The walnut panels have a chiselled honeycomb pattern that fades out towards the edges. The pedals in the footwell feature decorative inserts in the same material within a high-gloss metal surround, with an identical honeycomb pattern.

Dashboard: MBUX and off-road elements

The basic architecture of the dashboard corresponds to that of the B-Class, with a widescreen cockpit facing the driver and the functions and displays controlled via the Mercedes-Benz User Experience – MBUX. New features are the off-road-type tubular elements in milled aluminium which round off the dashboard at the lower end. These give the dashboard support an impression of robustness, power and a certain fun factor. Below the three round centre nozzles is the air conditioning control panel with an intentionally analogue look, whose buttons create the impression that they have been milled from a solid aluminium cylinder.

The robust character of the interior continues in the centre console. Aluminium tubular elements with a brushed structure in a grab-handle look lend solidity to the design of the components and controls. Along the doors, the SUV character is underlined by the horizontal grab handle that forms a robust part of the door panel structure as a machined aluminium tube.

Powertrain: Four-cylinder turbo with 165 kW/224 hp

The Concept GLB is powered by the M 260 four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an 8G-DCT dual clutch transmission, with a maximum output of 165 kW/224 hp and peak torque of 350 Nm. The engine block of diecast aluminium with cast iron cylinder liners has CONICSHAPE^® technology, which is also known in-house as “trumpet-honing”. To further minimise piston friction and lower fuel consumption, the cylinder bore is widened at the lower end of the cylinder liners. The resulting, conical shape resembles the mouth of a trumpet.

An innovative low-friction oil and optimised piston rings also reduce friction losses. To take account of the higher specific output, the pistons themselves feature cooling ducts. This also ensures more efficient combustion. The balance shafts for smooth engine-running are located in the lower section of the crankcase. To enhance comfort even further, there is a centrifugal pendulum damper in the powertrain.

Also in the aluminium four-valve cylinder head is CAMTRONIC, a variable valve timing system that allows two-stage adjustment of the valve lift on the intake side of the valve assembly. In the partial-load range, this variable valve lift adjustment allows less air to be fed to the combustion chamber with a smaller valve lift, which leads to lower gas cycle losses. In higher load ranges the system switches to the higher valve lift to achieve the engine’s full power delivery.

All-wheel drive as a matter of course: 4MATIC with three selectable characteristics maps

The Concept GLB is equipped with the permanent all-wheel system 4MATIC, with fully-variable torque distribution. This sporty all-wheel drive configuration allows the driver to use the DYNAMIC SELECT switch to influence the characteristics of 4MATIC. Three characteristic maps are available to control the all-wheel drive clutch, though the system responds flexibly to the current driving situation in any mode. In regular driving operation, the drive programme “Eco/Comfort” is based on an 80:20 distribution (front axle:rear axle), while in “Sport” it is 70:30. In off-road mode the all-wheel drive clutch acts as an inter-axle differential lock, with the basic distribution a balanced 50:50.

4MATIC components include the power take-off to the rear axle, which is integrated into the automated dual clutch transmission, and the rear axle differential with an integrated multiplate clutch. This is electro-mechanically operated. Via a crown wheel and a ball ramp, an electric motor exerts an axial force on the clutch pack to open or close the plates. The rear axle differential compensates the different paths/rotational speeds of the rear wheels. The advantages of this control system are above all non-rpm-dependent operation across the entire actuation range, pilot control of the clutch while still stationary and higher efficiency thanks to the ball ramp concept.

A look back at Shanghai 2013: world premiere of the Concept GLA

This is not the first time a compact SUV concept has celebrated its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai show: On 18 April 2013 the Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA drew public attention. As a sporty, coupé-like evolution of this vehicle class, the showcar pointed a new way in the compact SUV segment. It combined a sporty spirit with the all-round qualities of a robust recreational companion.

The multitalented GLA became orderable from the end of November 2013, and deliveries began in March 2014. Since then the GLA has become a major contributor to the success story of the compact Mercedes-Benz models. In 2018 over 609,000 customers worldwide took delivery of their new A or B-Class, their CLA, CLA Shooting Brake or GLA. This means that in 2018, one in four cars sold by Mercedes-Benz was a compact model.

[1] Including permanently installed roof box

At Auto Shanghai 2017, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new S-Class for the first time in the Shanghai Expo Center. The world premiere took place under the heading “The best automobile in the world is now even better”. The extensively updated Mercedes-Benz flagship fulfils this claim with a raft of new features such as completely redesigned engines, and with innovations like driver assistance systems with substantially expanded functionality. Around 500 guests attended the official world premiere in China, the world’s largest car market and also the most important market for the S-Class.

The S-Class presented in Shanghai opens up a whole new dimension of driving. Its technical highlights include its brand-new engines, including an all-new V8 biturbo gasoline power unit. Mercedes-Benz is also planning a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of around 50 kilometers.

For decades, the S-Class has set the benchmark for safety, comfort, intelligence efficiency and automotive innovation,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “The new S-Class builds on its classic virtues and lifts them to a whole new level.”

The vehicle adapts to its occupants’ needs

ENERGIZING comfort control marks the arrival of a world first. It networks a variety of different comfort systems, individually adapting the likes of climate control, ambient lighting and massage or fragrance functions to the mood and needs of the vehicle’s occupants. Moreover, the Mercedes-Benz flagship takes “Intelligent Drive” to a new level. Systems such as the DISTRONIC proximity control and Active Steering Assist now come with new, modified functionalities. ROAD SURFACE SCAN and the CURVE tilting function are further features of the new S-Class in the luxury sedan segment.

“Our new S-Class marks another major step toward autonomous driving,” says Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “For instance, the car’s camera and radar systems have been further developed and now have a range of up to 250 meters. This enables temporary automated driving even off-highway. We are also now using map and navigation data for the first time to calculate driving style.”

“At the same time,” continues Källenius, “We have done everything to maintain our guarantee of maximum driving fun. Our aim was to combine superlative performance with the greatest possible efficiency.”

Official world premiere in the most important market for the S-Class

Mercedes-Benz enjoyed remarkable success on the Chinese market in 2016. In a year-on-year comparison, sales increased by 28 percent to more than 480,000 vehicles. And the company is continuing this successful trend in 2017, with March sales growing by more than 30 percent against the same month last year. This is not the only reason for celebrating the official world premiere of the S-Class in China. “China plays a key role in Mercedes-Benz’s global success. For the S-Class, the market is even more important, with an outstanding customer acceptance. Featured with a wide range of new design and technology, the new S-Class is developed with ‘ China in mind’”, said Hubertus Troska, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Greater China.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class is scheduled to make its world debut at both the 2011 New York Auto Show and the Shanghai Auto Shows later this month. The Concept A-Class features an expressive and athletic design, with its long hood, low silhouette and slim side windows. It is given depth by the interplay between lines and surfaces. Inspiration for the A-Class Concept design is from the wind and the waves, as well as aviation engineering. Technical highlights include a new turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, a dual clutch transmission and a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist.

Complete information on the Concept A-Class is below, however, if you are short on time skip straight to the Concept A-Class design video.

The Concept A-Class previews a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz. This front-wheel drive model is powered by a four-cylinder gasoline engine from the new M270 series. It was designed for transverse installation and thanks to direct injection and turbocharging, offers high performance together with minimal emissions and fuel consumption. The Concept A-Class is equipped with the twoliter variant of the new engine, developing 210 hp. This BlueEFFICIENCY engine is mated to the new Mercedes-Benz dual clutch transmission.

As a world first in the compact class, the concept car features a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist, which lowers the risk of rearend collisions. This assistance system gives a visual and acoustic warning to an inattentive driver and prepares Brake Assist for a precise braking response. Braking is initiated as soon as the driver forcefully operates the brake pedal.

Defined edges and a free interplay with the body surfaces

The exterior design of the Concept A-Class features the combination of defined edges and free interplay with the body surfaces that Mercedes-Benz first showed in the F800 Style. The side view is structured with three prominent lines: the front structural edge above the front fender forms a dropping line, while the prominent shoulder muscle above the rear axle underlines the car’s coupe-like character. A further line extends upwards from the rear wheel arch in a sweeping curve.

The front end of the Concept A-Class immediately catches the eye with the Mercedes- Benz star logo surrounded by what looks like a star-filled sky. Where there are usually openings or louvers, the radiator grille consists of numerous metallic silver hexagons on black stems. This theme is reflected in the design of the wheels. The headlights of the Concept A-Class continue this design element with innovative full-LED high-performance headlamps repeating the starry sky motif with numerous light points. The daytime running lamps consist of 90 optical fibers with aluminum sleeves which are arranged in a wing-shape within the headlamp.

In the interior, the eye is immediately drawn to the dashboard which has the shape of an aircraft wing and a translucent, stretchable fabric lining. This enables the bionic, cellular structure of the dashboard to remain visible.

The shape of the air vents in the dashboard is reminiscent of a jet aircraft. The prominent dials in the instrument cluster are in red, inspired by the afterburner of a jet engine. The center console is designed as a modern flight control panel, with the shift lever designed as a “reverse thrust control”.

A smartphone is fully integrated into the Concept A-Class. All functions are shown in the display as applications, and can be operated using the rotary/push control. The visual presentation of the display screen elements is unique, with a deep, three-dimensional appearance created by laser-like magenta-colored lines.