An updated Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class prototype was spotted tooling around in the snow in Europe this week, signaling that development on a refreshed model (likely for the 2024 model year) is nearing completion. We’ve heralded the baby ‘Benz three-row as perhaps the company’s best-packaged car, especially among its smaller offerings. We don’t expect that to change, but with car prices headed skyward thanks to inflation, it’ll take more than the same-old, same-old to get us excited about an updated model.
This prototype is wearing camo typical of a car getting some minor exterior nips and tucks. The Rose Gold Metallic exterior is a nice touch (It’s a holiday week, OK? Any excitement is welcome.) and that may indicate that the color will return for ’24. Based on what we can see here, the nose will be smoothed off a bit, with fewer creases in the lower fascia and perhaps a grille that is a bit more flush with molded bumper, but with the vinyl still on there, it’s tough to say.
To keep pace, Mercedes is expected to offer an updated MBUX infotainment system along with a new 48-volt mild hybrid backbone for its powertrain. While these 48V setups don’t have a significant impact on the driving experience by themselves, they enable a lot of tech that will aid Mercedes in its quest to electrify its lineup. In fact, the GLB already has an all-electric sibling, the EQB.
