Second-Technology Mercedes-Benz GLB Chases Winter and Brings the Heat With Large Superscreen : Automotive Addicts

Mercedes-Benz is getting the all-new GLB prepared for prime time by throwing it into the form of chilly most drivers solely examine. Engineers on the Mercedes Expertise Heart in Sindelfingen are utilizing climatic wind tunnels to simulate all the pieces from a bluebird powder day to a whiteout with sideways snow. The payoff is a compact SUV that feels welcoming even when the thermometer sinks, with a primary look inside revealing room for as much as seven and an non-compulsory MBUX Superscreen that stretches throughout the sprint. The world premiere lands on December 8, 2025.

Chilly-weather tuning is critical enterprise right here. The GLB is being punished at temperatures as little as minus 40 levels Fahrenheit, with snow cannons altering flake sort and density whereas a high-powered fan whips up blizzard situations that hit the automotive at as much as 124 mph. Beneath the automotive, a rolling highway powers 4 particular person rollers, so 4MATIC fashions may be examined precisely as they’d behave on an actual avenue. The {hardware} is stout, with take a look at rigs rated to a complete of 1,046 hp and able to simulating speeds as much as 165 mph. Engineers sit in a close-by management room dialing in temperature, humidity, and wind velocity, then watch the storm unfold by means of insulated home windows.

Warmth is a part of the story too. In a separate chamber, the GLB faces as much as 140 levels Fahrenheit whereas 32 photo voltaic lamps ship daylight that mimics the true factor. There’s even a Sizzling Street that warms the rolling floor between 122 and 158 levels Fahrenheit to duplicate blistering pavement. That mixture lets Mercedes chase gremlins in each extremes and repeat assessments with scientific precision.

The numbers from winter testing are encouraging. At an out of doors temperature of 5 levels Fahrenheit, the GLB clears an icy windshield for secure driving in about quarter-hour utilizing solely the defrost setting, no driver intervention wanted. Engineers additionally consider how swirling snow would possibly choke air inlets, an actual threat when following massive rigs, and validate wiper efficiency so the system doesn’t blink when heavy, moist flakes begin to fall.

Consolation is the opposite headline. In 19-degree Fahrenheit ambient situations, the brand new GLB warms its cabin roughly twice as rapidly as its predecessor whereas utilizing about half the power, an effectivity acquire that additionally helps protect electrical vary. Warmth arrives the place you’re feeling it first, with a method that prioritizes arms and higher physique the second you get in, even in case you didn’t precondition.

An enormous motive is the multi-source warmth pump tailored from the VISION EQXX program. It may well harvest waste warmth from the electrical drive unit, the battery, and the encircling air on the identical time. Utilizing this free power, it achieves the output of a typical auxiliary heater whereas drawing roughly one third of {the electrical} energy, which is a great approach to preserve everybody toasty with out denting vary.

Inside, the design strikes in a cleaner, extra technical path. The non-compulsory MBUX Superscreen seems to drift throughout the complete width of the dashboard, bracketed by round local weather vents that appear like polished {hardware}. Door panels get a concave essential floor with a big floating middle part and a traditional tubular pull deal with that feels purposeful. The middle console flows underneath the Superscreen and incorporates a three-dimensional trim panel with built-in cupholders and a smartphone tray, and obtainable wi-fi charging hides in plain sight.

Driver touchpoints have been rethought with an emphasis on intuitive management. Mercedes introduced again a rocker change for cruise management and the Digital Additional model of Distance Help DISTRONIC primarily based on buyer suggestions, and a curler change now handles quantity, a pleasant tactile win in a display heavy world.

Area and suppleness enhance as effectively. 5 seats are commonplace and 7 can be found. Headroom grows for each the primary and second rows, helped by the SUV roofline and a typical panoramic roof. Second row consolation takes a step ahead with extra legroom and longer thigh assist, whereas an non-compulsory sliding bench permits you to high-quality tune recline and fore aft place, and comes commonplace while you select the third row. Entry to that third row is simpler because of a wider Straightforward Entry adjustment vary, and while you want cargo area the seats drop into the load flooring.

About that roof. The massive panoramic setup makes use of laminated security glass with an infrared reflective layer and a LowE coating on the within floor. The tech helps preserve warmth out in summer season and preserve heat in throughout winter. The infrared movie is simply 200 nanometers thick, a tiny fraction of a human hair, but it makes an actual distinction in cabin consolation. If you would like one thing a bit theatrical, you’ll be able to choice switchable glass that flips between clear and an opal translucent setting in 10 to twenty milliseconds, and pair it with ambient lighting that paints a starry sky throughout the panel.

The digital expertise will get a full rethink with MB.OS, which turns the GLB right into a rolling good system. The fourth technology MBUX introduces a refined Zero Layer interface, new welcome animations, an MBUX Digital Assistant with selectable avatars, and a wider app ecosystem. Navigation leans on Google Maps and provides highly effective Encompass Navigation for richer steerage. Underneath the pores and skin, the GLB packs a water cooled excessive efficiency laptop with headroom for future features, supported by 10 cameras, 5 radar items, and a dozen ultrasonic sensors. Over the air updates and a typical suite of driver help options, together with Distance Help DISTRONIC, purpose to maintain the SUV feeling present lengthy after it leaves the showroom.

From the best way it shrugs off snow to the best way it greets you with heat, the all-new GLB is shaping as much as be a winter pleasant household hauler with a tech ahead cabin and a wiser power play. With the debut set for December 8, 2025, we is not going to have to attend lengthy to see the complete image.

Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on this planet of automobiles. Whether or not it’s exploring the most recent developments in automotive expertise or conserving a detailed pulse on breaking trade information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or underneath the hood, Lloyd enjoys take a look at driving the latest fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.