New Mercedes GLB Caught Testing Featuring a Unique Tail Light Design | Carscoops

      The second-generation GLB from Mercedes upgrades to the new MMA platform, similar to the CLA, and will offer both ICE and EV powertrains.

      Recently, the 2027 Mercedes GLB has been spotted undergoing testing at Germany’s Nürburgring.

      This Benz competitor to the X1 maintains its practical design but is now built on the updated MMA platform. Photos reveal a prototype with an internal combustion engine, while single and dual-motor electric versions are expected to arrive first.

      Mercedes is preparing to launch a significant array of new products in the coming years, featuring either combustion engines or electric powertrains. Many models, including the 2027 Mercedes GLB, will allow buyers to choose their preferred engine type.

      Despite the camouflage, it's evident that Mercedes has retained the boxy shape first introduced with the original GLB in 2019. However, the new SUV is said to be both longer and wider, and importantly, it transitions to Benz’s new MMA architecture.

      This modular platform also supports the latest CLA sedan, and the slightly less practical GLA will utilize it as well. Electric vehicle versions will include 800-volt electrical systems, though there may be limitations with 400-volt chargers without an adapter. These models will offer options for rear-wheel drive with a single motor or all-wheel drive with two motors, alongside two different battery sizes.

      The internal combustion engine variants, like the one captured in the photos, will feature 1.5-liter mild-hybrid engines from the Geely-Renault joint venture. The base trims will deliver a modest 134 hp (136 PS) to the front wheels, while higher trims will produce 187 hp (190 PS) to all wheels.

      The new star-shaped daytime running lights will be showcased at the front, and the rear will include a long LED strip resembling a Mexican bandit mustache running along the side of the hatch, below the rear window, and back down the opposite side. For the first time, Mercedes will apparently offer a rugged off-road variant of the GLB, aligning with the current trend of SUVs designed for trails while still suitable for urban environments.

      The interior will also receive updates, featuring a full-width digital dashboard display that debuted in the CLA, but will retain the seven-seat option that has been a significant selling point for the existing GLB against competitors like the BMW X1 and Audi Q3.

      Mercedes has announced that it won’t unveil the GLB until this time next year, but the electric version is set to launch several months before the internal combustion model, marking the GLB’s entrance into the 2027 model year.