Warm Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC arrives with 302bhp

The new Mercedes GLB SUV gets its first AMG makeover with the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC with 302bhp and sport tweaks.

The new Mercedes GLB arrived earlier this summer to fill the yawning gap between the GLA and GLC in Mercedes’ SUV range, delivering a boxy SUV for those who aspire to a G-Wagen but don’t have a six-figure budget to play with.

But this wouldn’t be a Mercedes SUV unless there was at least one model with a bit of an AMG makeover, so say hello to the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC, a new Mercedes GLB for those who think making a box look ‘sporty’ is the way to go.

Just like the other AMG ’35’ models, the GLB comes with a warmed-over 2.0 litre four-pot petrol engine good for 302bhp and 295lb/ft of torque, with power going through an eight-speed auto ‘box to all four wheels, a plethora of Drive Modes – plus launch control – and bigger brakes. All that adds up to a Mercedes ‘box’ that’ll get to 62mph in 5.2 seconds and run on to 155mph.

To make sure people know you’ve got an AMG GLB, Mercedes has plonked the Panamericana grille on the front, titivated the bumpers, added a roof spoiler, stuck on a pair of AMG exhaust tailpipes, a diffuser and 19″ AMG alloys (and you can spec up to 21″).

If you really want an AMG GLB 35 it will arrive in Mercedes’ showrooms next year. But if you want a really daft GLB you may prefer to wait for the AMG GLB 45, also expected to arrive in 2020.