The compact crossover segment shows no signs of slowing down, and Mercedes is adding to the momentum with the promise of two new models, one of which is powered by gasoline, the other of which is all-electric. Dubbed the GLB and EQB respectively, the fresh nameplates are set to arrive very, very soon, as confirmed by Board of Management member Britta Seeger at the 2019 New York Auto Show.
How To Stand Out In A Bloated Segment?
During Mercedes’ press conference at the 2019 New York Auto Show, the brand teased the imminent arrival of two new compact crossovers.
The first is called the GLB, and amazingly, it follows hot on the heels of a concept that just debuted this week at Auto Shanghai. Merc says the production-ready GLB will arrive as early as this summer.
If that seems like one helluva’ turn around time, it’s because it is. However, Merc is making it possible by carrying over loads of shared parts from across its various compact model lines, as evidenced by the near-production-ready Concept GLB.
Details include an impressive three rows for passengers, which is a lot of seating for a crossover with a 111-inch wheelbase and overall length of 184 inches. However, it makes sense when you consider the GLB will provide the bones for the up-and-coming EQB, which will go head-to-head with the three-row Tesla Model Y compact crossover (more on the EQB later).
Moving on, the GLB will slot in between the GLA and GLC SUV, and fit up to seven passengers thanks to variable interior configurations that either maximize passenger space or cargo room. When it arrives in production form, the Mercedes-Benz GLB will take on competitors like the VW Tiguan.
As for the GLB Concept, the compact made its debut in Shanghai with black undercladding, big chunky tires, auxiliary LED lighting, and a roof-mounted roof box, all of which give it a rough-and-ready off-roader vibe. However, we doubt any of that good stuff will make it to the production phase.
That said, the GLB Concept’s powertrain will arrive in dealers unaltered, as it takes directly from Merc’s current compact model line. Making the go is a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 224 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission takes up the cog swaps, while a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system puts it all to the ground. A plug-in hybrid powertrain option is also possible for the future.
Out With The Old, In With The Electric
Merc also hinted at the arrival of the EQB all-electric compact crossover in 2021. Framed as a battery-powered version of the GLB, the EQB is built on the same MFA2 platform but will come with a select number of unique styling bits and small aero improvements to maximize average miles-per-charge.
Power will be sourced from a 60-kWh battery pack, which is rumored to provide upwards of 310 miles of range between plug-ins.
The EQB will slot under the Mercedes-Benz EQC, a bigger all-electric SUV launched last year at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.
Accelerating Mercedes’ Future
Mercedes’ eagerness to release these two new models isn’t very surprising. The compact crossover segment is still red hot, and with most of the parts needed to build the GLB already found in Merc’s current lineup, development should be a breeze.
That also applies to the EQB, especially with Mercedes’ intent on bolstering its electrified offerings in a big way over the next decade.
Are you excited for the GLB or EQB? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section below.
Further Reading
The 2019 Mercedes GLB Concept Is A New Boxy Compact SUV
Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB.
Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz EQC.