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Wednesday <strong>September</strong> <strong>23</strong> <strong>2020</strong> <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> 29 Family wagon with performance MERCEDES-BENZ is certainly covering all bases in the sport utility vehicle market. Its product line-up is extensive and it’s still growing. The company has just launched a brand new range of SUVs – the GLB series. There are three variants in the line-up – 200, 250 and 35, all turbocharged. Put simply the designations represent a 1.3-litre variant at 120kW, and two 2-litre variants at 165kW and 225kW respectively, the latter essentially utilise the same power plant but with greater boost for the 35. This evaluation surrounds the 250, it is priced at $92,900, the 200 and 35 list at $78,900 and $104,900 respectively. These prices are relatively familyfriendly; sure it’s out of the mainstream, but if you want an SUV and are interested in a premium brand, the GLB is competitive. The GLB series is very traditional in its design, it’s a seven-seater, albeit compact, and it carries four-wheel-drive mechanicals, well at least it does in 250 and 35 form, the entrylevel model is front-wheel-drive only. Powering the GLB are the engines which have filtered through other Mercedes-Benz product. I’ve experienced the 250 engine many times before and I have always commented on its smooth, quiet operation; it needs to be, there are a raft of other four-cylinder, 2-litre turbocharged engines on the market and they are all refined, the GLB’s unit is up to par and lacks nothing, even in low power form. The 250 is also rated with 350Nm of torque, which is an impressive and useful figure, but if you are interested in more bottom end grunt the 35 pumps out an extra 50Nm. I’d be comfortable with the 250, it’s no slouch when it comes to performance, Mercedes-Benz claims a 6.9sec run to 100km/h and through the mid-range it fairly hunts through an overtaking manoeuvre taking just 4.7sec to make 120km/h from 80km/h. These are good times for a chunky SUV, the GLB weighs in at 1721kg, so it’s no lightweight, which reinforces how versatile and honest the engine is, and if you listen carefully you can just pick that something exciting sits under the bonnet, there’s a wellmuffled exhaust throb when the engine is under load. The engine is also the fuelmiser that modern turbocharging FAMILY-FRIENDLY: The Mercedes-Benz GLB series builds on an extensive range of wagons from the company. MERCEDES-BENZ GLB250: Sport utility vehicle available in three levels. techniques provide us with. A combined cycle average of 7.7-litres per 100km is claimed. During my time in the test car the fuel usage readout was constantly listing around 8.6l/100km with an instantaneous readout of 6l/100km recorded at 100km/h in eighth gear. On the subject of fuel usage, I must mention the display graphics make saving fuel easy, the fonts and colours are easy to read and understand, and their constant presence reminds the driver to take it easy on the throttle. That’s part of a comprehensive display graphic structure, a wide panel stretches across the dash area and it contains much depth in terms of functionality and detail. There’s also the voice command system that is being incorporated into all Mercedes-Benz product. Say “Hey Mercedes’’ and with further prompts many of the operating systems will be adjusted at your beck and call. On the road the GLB rides beautifully, it doesn’t get air suspension, but such is the quality of the underpinnings I had to keep constantly reminding myself of that. The spring and damper rates are set for a glorious ride, bump and ruts are smoothed out, • Price – Mercedes-Benz GLB250, $92,900 • Dimensions – Length, 4634mm; width, 1834mm; height, 1658mm • Configuration – Fourcylinder, four-wheel-drive, 1991cc, 165kW, 350Nm, eight-speed automatic. • Performance – 0-100km/h, 6.9sec • Fuel usage – 7.7l/100km while absorption through the suspension provides a smooth, controlled in-cabin ride. Interestingly, the front seats have quite firm squabs, it’s like you are sitting on them and not in them, which is a surprise and not something I’ve noticed before in Mercedes-Benz product. Nevertheless, you quickly become used to it and it’s far from a problem. I took the test car west through the Malvern Hills, one of my favourite high country roads, returning to the city via Hororata and Burnham. The GLB is a fabulous highway cruiser, it is superbly quiet and, as mentioned, the suspension affords a ride that doesn’t tax the driver on a long journey. Riding on sport specification Bridgestone (<strong>23</strong>5/40 x 20in) tyres, steering feel is decisive and with power channelled to all four corners there’s a feeling of stability and surety inside that is only associated with all-wheeldrive. As is traditional fare, the GLB gets several dynamic drive modes, I didn’t use either of the sport modes other than just for exploratory purposes, the engine is feisty enough in normal mode and is easily a match for the role of a mid-size SUV, and in true luxury car fashion the entire driveline reeks of refinement. The GLB is also incredibly well appointed, there’s nothing you’d want for, and if you take into account Mercedes-Benz’s extensive list of options and extras, then it can be tailormade to suit each and every individual’s requirements. I can’t imagine that Mercedes-Benz will be developing another SUV any time soon; however, I suspect another couple of models will be added to the GLB series as time goes on. Mercedes-Benz is in a good situation, SUV sales are showing no signs of slowing, and even though the market is tough due to the coronavirus pandemic, buyers are still looking for the complete family wagon. The GLB goes a long way to address that. From family cars to work trucks and supercars to fixer-uppers. No matter what you're looking for, you can find it all with Drivesouth. Your next set of keys are just one click away - visit drivesouth.co.nz