The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 performance SUV has made its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show, prior to going on sale in the UK in early 2020.
The SUV is the fourth AMG model to receive the 35 treatment, following the recently introduced Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic hatchback, A35 4Matic saloon and CLA35 4Matic coupe, and continues the rapid expansion of compact cars in Mercedes' performance car division. It’s also the first compact model from AMG to offer the option of both a five and seven-seat interior layout.
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Like its stablemates, the GLB 35 4Matic is powered by an AMG-fettled version of parent company Mercedes-Benz’s M270 engine. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit delivers 302bhp at 5800rpm and 295lb ft of torque between 3000 and 4000rpm.
This represents an 80bhp and 37lb ft increase on the existing range-topping GLB model, the GLB250 4Matic, which uses a less highly tuned version of the same engine. By comparison, the BMW X2 M35i xDrive’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matches that 302bhp, but develops 37lb ft of torque more than the GLB 35 powerplant.
Power is sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with a Race Start function and multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system capable of apportioning up to 50 per cent of drive to the rear axle. Five different driving programs are offered via AMG’s Dynamic Select system: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
An additional AMG Dynamic system offers two different agility programs: Basic and Advanced. They vary the characteristic of the handling dependent on parameters from the four-wheel drive system, speed-sensitive steering and stability control sensors.
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