The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Is Another Way To Get Half-Fat Affalterbach Kicks

Barely a month seems to go by without Mercedes-AMG revealing a new ‘35 model. We already have the A35, the A35 saloon, the CLA 35 and the CLA 35 Shooting Brake - a quartet of lower-tier AMGs. And now they’ve just been joined by a newbie.

It’s the GLB 35, a fast crossover which stands to have quite a lot of, erm, crossover with the eventual GLA 35.

Using the pleasingly boxy Mercedes GLB as a starting point, the ‘35 version uses the same formula as its cousins. A 2.0-litre inline-four turbo engine provides 302bhp and 295lb ft of torque to all four wheels, via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

It’s not a ‘proper’ AMG mill, rather the GLB 250’s four-pot with a little AMG hot sauce drizzled over the top. Its four-wheel drive system is a straightforward affair too, never sending more than 50 per cent of power to the rear wheels. If you want a fully Affalterbach-built engine and the potential for Drift Mode silliness, there is expected to be a GLB 45 arriving at some point.

Being the heaviest of the ever-expanding ‘35 family, the GLB 35 is also the slowest. 0-62mph takes 5.2 seconds, half a second slower than the hatchback. The top speed is electronically-limited to 155mph.

Mirroring the other 35s, the hotter GLB has rejigged suspension geometry with redesigned steering knuckles and a whole new rear subframe. AMG Ride Control adaptive dampers are available optionally.

It doesn’t offer up any surprises, but it does hold one trump card over the other 35 models - an optional seven-seater layout. Also helping it in the practicality stakes is a 560-litre boot that can be expanded to 1755 litres with the seats folded flat. Handy.

It’ll be a little while before we know how much it costs, but with the range-topping GLB 220d already sitting at £45,950, it’s safe to assume the GLB 35 will be close to the £50k mark.