2026 Mercedes-Benz GLB emerges at Nurburgring looking as boxy as ever

The second-generationMercedes-Benz GLB has been photographed cutting laps of the Nurburgring for the first time as it undergoes development testing.

Although the all-new mid-size SUV is clad in camouflage, we can see the next GLB’s overall silhouette won’t diverge too far from today’s car, with the passenger cell being predictably blocky and upright in order to maximise interior room.

And as with the current model, the new GLB will likely be offered with a third rows of seats, unlike the German automaker’s other far more popular medium SUV, the GLC wagon and ‘coupe’.

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Up front, though, it seems like the rectangular headlights have been replaced by sleeker units, not dissimilar to the ones fitted to the CLA small SUV, with which the GLB shares its Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA). Like the CLA, the GLB could also feature a light bar or black plastic strip linking its headlights.

Along the side we can see new flagpole-style wing mirrors, and flush-fitting pop-out door handles. There’s plenty of false body work underneath the camouflage wrap, so we can’t tell if the stepped rear quarter windows will be retained for the GLB’s sophomore round.

At the rear the disguise team has cheekily fitted stickers of the tail-lights from the third-generation Smart ForTwo. To the side of these is an arc of LED light tubes bending down and around, which marks quite a departure from the current GLB’s thin strip of lights.

If the past is any indication, the GLB will receive most of the drivetrains available in its CLA sibling.

The third-generation CLA, launched earlier this year, will initially be available with the choice of two all-electric drivetrains: a single-motor rear-wheel setup with 200kW of power and 335Nm of torque, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 260kW and 515Nm.

Both are paired with an 85kWh battery pack offering a WLTP range of between 672 and 792km. A cheaper variant with a 58kWh battery will launch later this year.

Unlike the current generation, there will be no battery-powered EQB companion model sporting substantial styling changes to highlight its electric drivetrain. Instead, EV options will be folded into the regular GLB range – electric variants will have the “with EQ Technology” tag clunkily tacked onto the back of their names.

Like the CLA, the GLB will also likely feature a mild-hybrid petrol option equipped with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with an integrated 20kW electric motor fed by a 1.3kWh 48V lithium-ion battery.

In the CLA, the mild-hybrid system will be able available in three states of tune: 100kW/200Nm, 120kW/250Nm and 140kW/300Nm. Depending on the model, buyers can choose between front- or all-wheel drive.

MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLB