Mercedes-Benz GLB 7-Seater SUV : Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz has now officially discontinued its cheapest 7-seater SUV GLB in India. this car remained in the market for about two years, but now the company has completely stopped its sale. This SUV was brought keeping in mind those customers who wanted a 7-seater option for the family in the luxury brand. However, now only its electric version EQB is available for sale.
Impact of launch and price in India
When the GLB was launched in India, it was sold completely imported instead of local assembly. That is, it was ordered through the CBU (Completely Built Unit) route, which made its price very high. The starting price of the SUV was kept at Rs 63.8 lakh (ex-showroom), which was considered quite expensive compared to cars of this size and segment.
Mercedes introduced this SUV in three variants – GLB 200 Progressive (petrol), 220d 4MATIC (diesel), and 220d AMG Line 4MATIC (sporty diesel version). These variants did not receive much response in India, and the sales figures were much below expectations. This is why the company has now removed it from the market.
Engine options and driving experience
The GLB 200 variant was given a 1.3-liter turbo petrol engine, which generated 163 bhp of power and 253 Nm of torque. This engine was mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox. On the other hand, the diesel variants (220d) had a 2.0-liter engine, which produced 190 bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque. These variants were equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, which made it suitable for all types of roads.
Will its new version come to India?
Now that the GLB has been discontinued, the question arises whether its new model will come to India? According to reports, Mercedes is preparing to bring the next version of this SUV, but at the moment it is not clear whether the facelift version will come to India or a completely new generation model.
The new generation GLB is being prepared on Mercedes’ MMA platform, which is shared with the 3rd generation CLA. This new model can be a big upgrade in terms of design, safety, technology and features. It is expected that it will get more advanced infotainment system, more comfort, new drive modes and better space.
Conclusion
The Mercedes-Benz GLB was launched in India as a premium 7-seater SUV, but due to its high price and limited features, this car could not attract much customers. Now its production and sale has been stopped. However, if Mercedes introduces its new avatar in the future, then it will probably be designed keeping in mind the needs and budget of Indian customers.
