Latest news with #CLA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
News analysis: How the EV competition between BMW and Mercedes will evolve
BMW and Mercedes-Benz are pursuing radically different electrification strategies as they prepare for major launches this year. BMW will introduce its Neue Klasse family of battery-electric vehicles while Mercedes prepares to launch its new-generation CLA. But which automaker will win in the battle for more EV market share? Looking at the sales figures alone, BMW is clearly ahead. In 2024, sales of BMW's full-electric vehicles grew 12 percent as the automaker benefited from demand for its new i5 and i7 models and adopted a 'power of choice' strategy, offering its bestselling cars with a choice of combustion, plug-in hybrid and full-electric powertrains to ensure broad customer appeal. Meanwhile, Mercedes' BEV sales plummeted 23 percent last year, including a 7 percent dip in China, its largest market, following a notable shift there to domestic rivals. Mercedes was also slowly introducing its new modular MMA architecture, meaning a temporary gap in the launch of new BEVs. A similar story continues so far this year. BMW sold 109,513 BEV in the first quarter, an increase of 32 percent compared with the same period in 2024. In contrast, Mercedes' BEV sales fell 14 percent in the quarter, down to 40,706 units. During the same time period, Tesla's global sales dropped 13 percent to 336,681. That means BMW sold 2.7 times more BEVs than Mercedes during the quarter and its full-electric car sales were also almost a third of Tesla's, according to a May 15 research report by Bernstein Research. 'BMW is already the clear leader in BEV sales among its legacy auto manufacturer peers,' the report said. However, Pedro Pacheco, vice president of research at consultancy Gartner, said it's not all about sales. While BMW is selling more BEVs than Mercedes, there is no available data defining each automaker's level of profitability, Pacheco said. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Interview of the Month newsletter delivering exclusive interviews with top auto executives. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, director of the Center Automotive Research (CAR) in Bochum, Germany, said the new cars have not yet shown how they perform in customers' hands. BMW's Neue Klasse range has benefited from the biggest investment in the company's history. The Neue Klasse range launches with the iX3 SUV. Series production will begin at the automakers's new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, in November, with first vehicle deliveries expected before the end of this year. Between now and 2027, BMW will launch more than 40 new or updated models – from BEVs to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to models with combustion engines. 'Each will have the DNA of the Neue Klasse,' BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said on March 14. By the end of 2025, the company aims to have more than 2 million BEVs on the road. Meanwhile, Mercedes plans to start customer deliveries of the new CLA BEV in July. The automaker is positioning the all-new CLA as a cornerstone of its next-generation electrification strategy. The CLA is the first model built on Mercedes new MMA architecture, which is designed to accommodate both BEVs and hybrids. Originally, Mercedes hoped to transition to selling only BEVs by 2030, but slower-than-expected market adoption pushed it to plan for BEVs and PHEVs to make up about 50 percent of its global sales by 2030. 'We have to realize that the speed of adoption, the speed of the transformation, it's almost impossible to foresee how long it will take,' Mercedes CEO Ola Kallenius said last month. Essentially, Mercedes is pursuing a luxury strategy for the premium segment. After initially pursuing a more dedicated approach in terms of platforms, it is backing away from this approach to share vehicle platforms among ICEs, hybrids and EVs, Gartner's Pacheco said. BMW, meanwhile, is doing the opposite. After starting with a shared platform and achieving sufficient volume, it's now switching to a dedicated platform with a broader product portfolio, Pacheco said. 'The Neue Klasse seems to be a significant change in terms of platform design from the past, so maybe there is more potential there. Mercedes seems to be adopting a more cautious approach while BMW seems willing to try out more new things,' Pacheco said. Frank Schwope, a car-industry expert at the University of Applied Sciences for Small and Medium Enterprises in Hanover, Germany, credits BMW's commercial success with BEVs to its flexibility, its openness toward new technology and its recognition that customers prefer electrified versions of the combustion vehicles they already know. Going forward, BMW's ability to 'flexibly respond to customer demand' will remain essential, Marc-Rene Tonn, senior analyst at Warburg Research, said. 'While the path to BEVs remains intact, speed may vary on the path and there may be differences in adoption on a regional basis. Thus, being able to cater to customer choices, which are not easy to project, will be key,' Tonn said. 'Fulfilling customers' demands regarding digitalization, connectivity, range and pricing is of course important, too.' In contrast, the design of Mercedes' EQE and EQS models has faced criticism. 'Mercedes' electric-only strategy has been discarded,' Schwope said. 'In addition, the design of the electric cars was not well received by many interested parties. The group is changing both. Kallenius should question himself.' Despite their differing approaches, both BMW and Mercedes share a common enemy: fierce competition in China. 'China will define which of the two will be the winner,' Dudenhöffer predicted. 'China is the most interesting market for them. But the pressure there is the strongest.' So, how can the German premium automakers better compete in China? Firstly, they need to become more cost-effective. 'Price will be really decisive in China,' Dudenhöffer said. The next two to three years will prove pivotal, Stefan Bratzel, director of the Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany-based Center of Automotive Management (CAM) said. Firstly, BMW and Mercedes should try not to lose too much market share in China, even if that costs them money. The two also need to speed up their development processes and invest heavily in technology to compete with their Chinese rivals in terms of innovation, which is becoming increasingly difficult as the Chinese are so fast, Bratzel added. At the same time, he also believes they need to cut costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB emerges at Nurburgring looking as boxy as ever
The second-generationMercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed cutting laps of the Nurburgring for the first time as it undergoes development testing. Although the all-new mid-size SUV is clad in camouflage, we can see the next GLB's overall silhouette won't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. And as with the current model, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats, unlike the German automaker's other far more popular medium SUV, the GLC wagon and 'coupe'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced by sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA small SUV, with which the GLB shares its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flush-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows will be retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these is an arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack offering a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no battery-powered EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead, EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range – electric variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of their names. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild-hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA, the mild-hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model, buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generationMercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed cutting laps of the Nurburgring for the first time as it undergoes development testing. Although the all-new mid-size SUV is clad in camouflage, we can see the next GLB's overall silhouette won't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. And as with the current model, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats, unlike the German automaker's other far more popular medium SUV, the GLC wagon and 'coupe'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced by sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA small SUV, with which the GLB shares its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flush-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows will be retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these is an arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack offering a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no battery-powered EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead, EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range – electric variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of their names. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild-hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA, the mild-hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model, buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generationMercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed cutting laps of the Nurburgring for the first time as it undergoes development testing. Although the all-new mid-size SUV is clad in camouflage, we can see the next GLB's overall silhouette won't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. And as with the current model, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats, unlike the German automaker's other far more popular medium SUV, the GLC wagon and 'coupe'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced by sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA small SUV, with which the GLB shares its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flush-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows will be retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these is an arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack offering a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no battery-powered EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead, EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range – electric variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of their names. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild-hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA, the mild-hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model, buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generationMercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed cutting laps of the Nurburgring for the first time as it undergoes development testing. Although the all-new mid-size SUV is clad in camouflage, we can see the next GLB's overall silhouette won't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. And as with the current model, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats, unlike the German automaker's other far more popular medium SUV, the GLC wagon and 'coupe'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced by sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA small SUV, with which the GLB shares its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flush-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows will be retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these is an arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack offering a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no battery-powered EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead, EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range – electric variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of their names. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild-hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA, the mild-hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model, buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB spied doing hot laps
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from: The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the "with EQ Technology" tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB Content originally sourced from:
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- West Australian
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB spied doing hot laps
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA , with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year , will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the 'with EQ Technology' tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB
7NEWS
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB spied doing hot laps
The second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed doing laps of the Nurburgring as it undergoes testing. Although the car is clad in camouflage, we can see the GLB's overall silhouette doesn't diverge too far from today's car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room. As with today's car, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA, with which the GLB shares the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights. Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flushing-fitting pop-out door handles. There's plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can't tell if the stepped rear quarter windows are retained for the GLB's sophomore round. At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these are the arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB's thin strip of lights. If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive a most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling. The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW and 335Nm, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm. Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack that has a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year. Unlike the current generation, there will be no EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead the EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range — EV variants will have the 'with EQ Technology' tag clunkily tacked onto the back of the model name. Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that has an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery. In the CLA the mild hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive.
