Page 39 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

drive

05

05 A-Class cues evident in the cabin’s architecture and switchgear, with this example show-
ing off orange-tinted trim panels forming part of the Edition 1 package. 06 There’s masses
of utility space on offer but the third-row seats are more suitable for children. 07 Purposeful
stance and 200 mm ground clearance allow the GLB to tread off the beaten track.

the same way as its Bavarian ri- clutch transmission. Developing
vals. It is, however, a far better-bal- 165 kW from 5 500 r/min and
anced and comfier offering with 350 N.m over a 1 800-4 000 r/min
a fire-and-forget effortlessness in swathe of the rev range, it feels
the way it conducts itself in a wide flexible and pleasingly smooth.
variety of driving scenarios. The ‘box is a similarly slick per-
With its filed-down G-Wagen former that, despite an occasional
looks, there is a degree of off-road tendency to stretch for a higher
expectation levelled at the GLB (fuel-saving) gear as soon as it can,
06
but it won’t be met by this GLB250 doesn’t hobble the engine when
model, which is driven solely the accelerator is mashed and
07 through the front wheels. That swaps cogs without any judder.
task is assigned to the GLB220d By and large, the GLB meets the
4Matic, with its 400 N.m of low- varied provisos Mercedes-Benz
end twist and a longitudinal has set it and manages to look
torque-apportioning AWD system stylish and drive fluidly as it does
capable of locking drive 50:50 fore so. Given its ability to plug that
and aft. Thus equipped, the GLB is long-standing gap in Benz’s SUV
more capable off-road than most line-up, the GLB will no doubt be
of its rivals but, with 200 mm of met with a great deal of interest
ground clearance, you have to when it arrives here. Mercedes-
be realistic as to just what it can Benz SA will announce pricing
safely negotiate without endan- closer to its late-second quarter
gering its undercarriage. launch but it will be interesting
This refined demeanor is fur- to see if its deceptively generous
thered by the 2,0-litre turbopetrol packaging will, in some cases,
driving the GLB250’s front wheels present some overlap between it
through a new eight-speed dual- and the GLC.

CARmag.co.za CAR FEBRUARY 2020 37