Remember the Mercedes-Benz GLB? Shouldn't be too hard, given it's a fairly new car - and has spawned an AMG derivative, But it can be hard to keep track of Mercedes' vast SUV range at the best of times. With A, C, E, S and electric SUVs, the stubby little B might have been in danger of being forgotten. Which it shouldn't, with seven seats squeezed in and a funky off-roader aesthetic, yet such is the way of the world these days. Things move fast...
So Brabus is now on hand to jolt the GLB back into the collective memory, with an "exclusive refinement range" of upgrades. And while this covers the usual Brabus stuff - power, suspension, interior accoutrements - there is also a nod to the GLB's mini-G-Class look.
Because while Bottrop will quite gladly drop your GLB 30mm on 20s, as seen here, it also has off-road springs available that raise the ride height 35mm above the standard version. Combine that with the massive LEDs up front - or Brabus Power Beams, to give them their proper name - and the roof rack and the makings are there of a proper little mud-plugger should you so wish.
However, as the pictures suggest, there's plenty of the traditional Brabus about this GLB as well. A set of four 90mm exhaust pipes are available, which seems pretty bold given Brabus is currently working with standard cars and not AMGs. Its PowerXtra upgrade - a remap to tweak injection, ignition and boost - does liberate some worthwhile extra performance from a GLB250, though, with 270hp and 317lb ft on offer against a standard 224hp and 258lb ft.
While the 20s are shown off here, Brabus also offers 18s and 19s with bespoke tyre and wheel combination chosen by its test drivers and engineers. Which you'll probably scoff at, but Brabus has technical partnerships with Continental, Pirelli and Yokohama, so they're certainly not wanting for rubber choice. Brabus is promising "sportier handling and great ride quality" regardless of set up.
Brabus hasn't been able to conjure up any more space for seven in a GLB, but it can treat owners to high quality floor mats with the Brabus logo. And new aluminium scuff plates. And anodized aluminium pedals. Or, should the customer wish, basically a whole retrim in "a virtually endless variety of colours." And yet there's never a Brabus that isn't black...
Brabus' parts for the GLB are on sale now, though price aren't yet confirmed. And then, no doubt, it'll be onto the next Mercedes, because goodness knows there are plenty to choose from - CLA Shooting Brake? A-Class saloon? E-Class All-Terrain? We look forward to seeing them all...
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