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Mercedes Teases Next-Gen GLB, Puts 7-Seat EV Through Extreme Cold Tests Before Dec. 8 Debut

EQXX-derived thermal tech proves twice-as-fast cabin heat-up at −7°C using half the energy.

Overview

  • Mercedes is finalizing climate validation at the Sindelfingen Technology Center in tunnels that span −40°C to +40°C and simulate blizzards with winds up to 200 km/h.
  • Official data shows the GLB clears an icy windscreen in 15 minutes at −15°C using the defrost setting, and warms the cabin twice as fast on a 20‑minute drive at −7°C while using half the energy.
  • The overhauled cabin offers an optional MBUX Superscreen that pairs a 10.25‑inch instrument display with two 14‑inch touchscreens running MB.OS with Google Maps and a virtual assistant.
  • Packaging upgrades include five or seven seats, noticeably more headroom, an available sliding second row, and a standard panoramic glass roof with optional variable opacity and an illuminated “starry sky.”
  • Driver-assistance tech includes European-standard DISTRONIC backed by eight cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors, while media report electric and hybrid variants with higher‑output models projected at up to about 349 hp.