B KEEPER (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The GLB 35 4MATIC re-imagines exactly what a fast seven-seat family SUV can be. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

On the face of it, the GLB 35 is just another hot Mercedes SUV. Until you begin to delve a little deeper. Where else on the market can you get a crossover like this with as much as 300hp and 7 seats? It's a rare combination.

Backgroundword count: 125

You don't tend to find the letter 'B' often associated with Mercedes-AMG engineering. The Stuttgart brand's B-Class MPV is just about the only model in the range that doesn't get it. And it doesn't need to now given that a growing family wanting a versatile cabin and performance fireworks can instead choose this car, the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC. As you might guess from the name, this car shares virtually all its basic engineering with the company's core hot hatch model, the A 35. A car already reinvented as a compact SUV in the form of the storming GLA 35 model. Unlike that crossover though, the GLB 35 is properly family -sized inside and, crucially, has the advantage of being able to offer seven seats.

Driving Experienceword count: 248

All the stats here look promising. Thanks to use of the same 306hp turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in the A 35 hot hatch, performance is way above what you'd otherwise expect in this family class of car, 62mph dispatched in just 5.2 seconds, only half a second slower than the A 35. The engine is mated to an 8 speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and the brand's 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, which can vary its torque split from 100% front wheel drive to a 50-50 power split front-to-rear. Quite a lot of work's gone in to change the suspension, which has been stiffened and standard adaptive damping added. The speed sensitive steering is also bespoke and there are larger AMG brakes. Obviously, this top GLB isn't as fun to throw about as an A 35 but there's plenty of traction and body roll is well controlled, making possible ridiculously quick point-to-point journey times on twisting country roads. As we've noticed in other models, this engine has a lovely muted growl, with an emotive burble from the exhausts on the over-run, plus the dual clutch gearbox clicks from ratio to ratio with enthusiasm. Buyers get much the same 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system as you'd find in the AMG-GT sportscar, with "Slippery", "Comfort", "Sport", "Sport +" and "Individual" settings. Further driving modes are linked to the AMG DYNAMICS agility control, which means that the handling characteristics can be even more closely matched with different requirements and driving conditions.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227