Because of the weak chicken power of 1.3T, Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB are called "garbage brothers" and are madly complained about by consumers. Now that Mercedes-Benz has finally bowed its head and admitted its mistake, GLA and GLB will be equipped with 2.0T engines, will you buy it?
1. Mercedes-Benz "Garbage Brothers"?
As we all know, the brand premium of Mercedes-Benz in the BBA is the highest, and the sales volume is also leveraged. For example, in the field of luxury mid-size SUVs, the Mercedes-Benz GLC starts at more than 400,000, while the competitor BMW X3 and Audi Q5 both start at less than 400,000, and in January this year, the former sold 22,331 units, far exceeding the latter two's 19,542 and 17,062 units. But in the field of luxury compact SUVs, Mercedes-Benz has planted a big heel, Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB, the "garbage brothers", the total sales of 86944 units in 2021, while the competitor Audi Q3 in the same period as high as 95059 units, BMW X1 cumulative sales of 93920 units throughout the year.
2. Swapping a 2.0T engine?
Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB as ridiculed by netizens as "garbage brothers", on the one hand, they are very divided in the luxury comfort that Mercedes-Benz is proud of, on the other hand, the more important reason is that the power is too pulled crotch. They are all equipped with 1.3T engines, which is too "weak chicken" for the 300,000-class car. After all, bmw X1, Audi Q3 high-end models are equipped with 2.0T engines, the price is similar to Mercedes-Benz GLA, GLB. Consumers vote with their feet, so in the same type of products as BBA, Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB sales performance is very poor.
After holding out hard for all these years, Mercedes-Benz has finally bowed its head and admitted its mistakes, and made up for the shortcomings of the weak chickens of these two models with practical actions. The latest news shows that the original 1.3T high-power model of mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB models will be upgraded to the 2.0T engine version of the M260, and the drivetrain will maintain an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. As a result, the high-end version of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB has been upgraded to 2.0T+8DCT, with a maximum power of 140 kW and a maximum torque of 300 N·m, and the top model is also equipped with a four-wheel drive system.
3. Is it going to sell this time?
The replacement of Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB is indeed worthy of recognition, not only making up for the most crotch-pulling short board, and since then the power is no longer "small weak chicken", but also in terms of configuration and comfort, and strive to change the old image in the minds of consumers. It turns out that these two cars are equipped with halogen headlights as standard, and the new model will replace the entire series with LED headlights. In addition, it is reported that the GLB model will also upgrade the seats and space in the second row of the back, or will be improved in terms of body size, and will be equipped with new wider and more comfortable seats.
In terms of price, Mercedes-Benz has never been "stingy", only high and not low. Whether it is power or configuration, there are new GLA and Mercedes-Benz GLB with major upgrades, and the price is expected to increase. Industry insiders pointed out that the price of the new model will most likely increase by 10,000-20,000 vehicles, the price of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA or will be 280,000-34 million yuan, and the price of the new Mercedes-Benz GLB is 300,000-350,000 yuan. For consumers who can afford to buy Mercedes-Benz, one or two thousand may not be much, and the power of the new 2.0T is still very attractive.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB are slightly more expensive than the BMW X1 and Audi Q3 of the same class. After they are listed, they will not be a big seller, we do not know, but it is very beneficial to boost the competitiveness of Mercedes-Benz in the field of luxury compact SUVs. Mercedes-Benz's willingness to bow its head and compromise with the market is a move that has to be made. After all, from the original and BMW Audi equal, to now be completely suppressed, Mercedes-Benz no longer do anything, then GLA and GLB may face elimination. It's just that for the old car owners, they will definitely be unbalanced in their hearts and feel that they have been cut by Mercedes-Benz.