Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC

Joining the rest of Mercs’ local AMG fleet, the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 (X247), upgraded for the year 2024 and launched in Malaysia.

Fully-imported (CBU - Mexico), the performance-oriented crossover (compact SUV) comes in one variant (AMG GLB 35 4MATIC).

Priced at MYR 418,888 (OTR, w/o insurance), each purchase includes a standard vehicle warranty (four-year/unlimited mileage).

Five (Metallic) exterior colours (Mountain Grey, Iridium Silver, Spectral Blue, Cosmos Black, Digital White). 

One (MANUFAKTUR) exterior colour (Patagonia Red Metallic - MYR 3,000).

The new AMG GLB 35 gets an elegantly-sporty and tiered dashboard, merged to a flat-high-rising centre console (gear-lever-deleted, armrest).

Hard-touch panelled, it sees a dual-tone scheme (Black-Silver) with Aluminium (air-conditioning vents, centre console) and backlit (Mercedes-Benz Star Pattern) trims.

Filling-up the space is the floating-glass-pane (MBUX multimedia system - instrument cluster/infotainment) and turbine-designed air-conditioning vents.

Accentuating the environment is an ambient light system (64-colour active - Light And Sight Package), and AMG sports pedals (brushed stainless steel - Black rubber studs).

Overall, the build is well-designed. Very driver- and passenger-oriented with accessibilities strategically-arranged.

One half of a twin unit, installed is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (NTG 7), featuring a 10.25-Inch fully-digital instrument cluster with a Heads-Up Display (HUD).

Features are three AMG display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (AMG drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Luxurious, interior of the five-seater sees ARTICO man-made leather/MICROCUT-microfibre upholstery (Black, Red stitching - seats, door beltlines).

The front gets the AMG Sports Seats with a Multi-contour Seat Package (multi-way, lumbar, active climate, memory).

The rear sees a manual-operated (button - 40:60 split-fold, backrest recline) contoured bench seat. Included are armrests (front - centre console, rear - fold-out).

Heightening the cabin is a panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), a fabric headliner (Black), MANUFAKTUR seat belts (Red), AMG floor mats, and AMG door sills (illuminated, exchangeable covers - Light And Sight Package).

A fairly-sized crossover (compact SUV), the front and rear occupants get ample interior mobility, providing generous cabin space with sufficient head-, shoulder-, and leg-room.

Mounted is an AMG Performance steering wheel, in a tri-rounded-twin-spoke-flat-bottom design, wrapped in Nappa leather (Black) with trimmings (Silver).

Features are multi-switches (AMG Controls - AMG Dynamic Select, media, vehicle settings), electric column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and paddle shifters (Silver-Chrome).

Aiding the drive is an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Practical storage areas (Stowage Space Package). E.g., a glove box, centre console caverned/partitioned spaces with under-stowage, and seat back/side door pockets.

Provided are four cup holders (two front - flex, two rear - standard), and four bottle holders (one - side doors).

Equipped are five USB ports (USB Package Plus - three-front, two-rear), one 12 V power socket (front), and a wireless charger (front). 

The boot comes with the Easy-Pack Tailgate feature (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button). 

Accessing its contactless function opens up to 565-Litres (rear seats up) and 1,805-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities.

Included is the Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage nets).

Tipping the scale at 1,810 KG, the new AMG GLB 35 measures at 4,650 MM long, 2,020 MM wide, 1,665 MM tall, and with a wheelbase spanning 2,829 MM.

Elegantly-sporty, it exudes a solidly-commanding presence with clean-cut lines in dynamically-sculpted proportions.

The front-end sees the Merc’s power dome bonnet (new AMG crest), sleekly-muscular fenders, an AMG grille (Black-Chrome - vertical slats, Mercedes insignia), and an AMG bumper (three-piece-vented - corner/centre).

Accentuations are body trimmings (Black - intake inserts/surrounds, side mirrors/Aluminium - bumper guard, lower side doors, roof rails, window surrounds), and body claddings (Black - fenders, side sills).

Sportily-robust, it parades a dynamically-smooth design, intensifying the athletic appeal with horizontally- and seamlessly-cut shapes.

The rear-end sees a straight-cut roofline, roundly-muscular quarter panels, a roof-edge AMG spoiler (High-Gloss Black), and an AMG bumper (diffuser - four vertical fins, two round-tip exhausts).

Accentuations are body trimmings (Black - diffuser fins/Aluminium - diffuser surround, lower side doors, roof rails, window surrounds), body claddings (Black - fenders, side sills, bumper), and the Mercedes insignia (centre tailgate).

Rectangular, the headlamps are housed inward-tilted, radiating a fierce outlook. Installed are Multibeam LED units with new signature light graphics.

Features are LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), automatic On/Off, projection function, Adaptive High Beam Assist Plus, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals.

Sleek and angularly-elongated, the wraparound tail lamps are housed in an inward-pointed design with new signature light graphics.

Installed are full LED units. Features are welcome/leaving lights, and sequential turn signals. Paired to the setup is a high-mounted brake light (spoiler lip-integrated).

The side mirrors (two-tone - Body-colour-Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust), with sequential turn signals, blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor - BSM), and automatic-dimming (Light And Sight Package).

Fitted is a setup of the AMG high-performance brake system, featuring ventilated-perforated discs (front, rear) with AMG brake callipers (Red).

Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Gripping the tarmac are 20-Inch AMG five-twin-spoke (Matte Black - high-sheen rim flange) light-alloy rims, rubbered-up in 255/40 R20 (front, rear) Continental SportContact 6 tyres.

The new AMG GLB 35 features the following sets of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistance Package, grouped are Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane-Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, Exit Warning Assist, and PRE-SAFE system. Under Parking Package, grouped are Active Parking Assist, and parking cameras (360-degree, reverse).

Others include Adaptive High-Beam Assist (AHA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety under GUARD 360-degree Vehicle Protection, grouped are Anti-theft Alarm system (ATA), interior monitoring system, and tow-away protection (warning - visual, audible). 

Others include seven airbags (driver, passenger, front side, front/rear curtains), airbag disable function (front passenger), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX, Door Opening Warning (DOW), automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors (interior, exterior - Light And Sight Package), parking sensors (six - front, rear), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Break-in resistant safety glass (laminated, heat-/noise-insulated, infrared-reflecting), TIREFIT and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Five drive modes accessible via the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT program (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual).

Another half of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) multimedia system (NTG 7), installed is a 10.25-Inch touchscreen display. 

Features are three AMG display styles (Classic, Sporty, Discreet), multiple interfaces (AMG drive modes, vehicle settings), and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).

Others include MBUX AR-Navigation, MBUX Navigation Premium, Mercedes-me Services, and live traffic. 

Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatible (wireless).

Audio is by a Burmester 3D surround sound system (710 W - 12 speakers, two loudspeakers). 

The new AMG GLB 35 harbours a mild-hybrid powertrain.

Nestled is the AMG 2.0-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine (M139), producing 306 HP (225 KW) at 6,100 RPM and 400 NM of torque at 2,500 to 4,000 RPM. 

Working in tandem is Mercedes’ second-generation Belt-Driven Starter-Generator (RSG), a 48 V mild hybrid system, providing an extra boost of 10 KW (14 HP) and 150 NM.

Installed is an AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8G-DCT (eight-speed, dual-clutch) automatic transmission, with Race Start program.

Power is sent to all four wheels via the active-fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which features the AMG Torque Control.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 5.5 seconds, and top speed is 250 KM/H. 

Fuel tank capacity is at 52-Litres, and combined fuel consumption is between 8.9 L/100 KM to 9.4 L/100 KM (WLTP).

Electric motor is juiced-up by a 1.0 KWH Lithium-ion battery.

The new AMG GLB 35 features these conveniences.

E.g., KEYLESS-GO Comfort Package (keyless/hands-free access, engine Start/Stop button), Easy-Pack Tailgate (hands-free - remote control/key fob, kick sensor, button), Load Compartment Package (side bags, luggage net), Stowage Space Package (interior storages), Light And Sight Package (64-colour active ambient lights, illuminated door sills, exterior Mercedes-Benz surround lighting projection, interior LED lights), THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air-vents, air purification), AMG Sports Seats (Multi-contour Seat Package - electric-powered), AMG Performance steering wheel (multi-function, AMG controls, paddle shifters, EPS, electric column adjustments), MBUX Multimedia System (MBUX AR-Navigation, MBUX Navigation Premium, MBUX custom drive settings), multiple power outlets (12 V socket, wireless chargers), USB Package Plus (five USB ports), flex cup holders (two - front), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, Mirror package (automatic-dimming rear-view mirrors - exterior, interior), interior monitoring system, panoramic glass sunroof (electric - tilt/slide), Break-in resistant safety glass (laminated, heat-/noise-insulated, infrared-reflecting), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), automatic headlamps (On/Off/high-beam), automatic wipers (rain sensing, intermittent), automatic-pinch windows (up/down), and speed sensing door locks.

Installed for the cabin is the THERMOTRONIC dual-zone automatic climate control system (rear air-vents, air purification).

Setup installed, the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive dampers (Comfort, Sport, Sport+), and AMG Dynamic Select drive programs.

The ride comfortability feels precise and firm at the same time, with overall drive tuned to provide complete stability and grip to the driver (MacPherson strut - front, multi-link - rear).

Ultimately, it has solid roadholding, and great handling stability and agility at high speeds without compromising any comfort (AMG Speed-sensitive Steering).

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The build is acoustically designed to enhance the in-car ambience. 

Part of the aero-acoustic measures used at reducing wind, tyre and road noises include the installation of heat-, noise-insulating and infrared-reflecting acoustic laminated glass.

Overall, the cabin is able to suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, in most of the day-to-day driving environment.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC just radiates robust elegance, a well-deserved upgrade for the 2024 model year.

An all-rounder and fairly-sized crossover, it offers both performance and comfort, while encapsulating passengers in a racing-inspired and luxuriously-appointed cabin.

Overall, inside and out the build quality is top class, and with all the bells and whistles it comes with, the new AMG GLB 35 is definitely a Merc to consider.