Mercedes-Benz GLB Gets A Moody Makeover, More Power From Brabus

Brabus has a bit of a reputation for adding some truly outlandish aftermarket flair to Mercedes-Benz vehicles. This year alone, we saw wild interpretations of GLE, GLS, and G-Class from the German tuner. Now the pint-sized GLB crossover gets a similar Brabus treatment, though it's a bit more subtle here.

New lower vents and a two-piece spoiler adorn the front fascia – but these two add-ons are only compatible with the AMG-Line bumper. Meanwhile, a big Brabus "B" logo replaces the Mercedes tri-star emblem in the grille, and two LED light bars on the roof give the GLB a more rugged look reminiscent of its G-Class big brother.

The only noticeable changes in the rear are the ducktail spoiler on the roof, which matches the upgraded front bumper visually, and black-chrome quad exhaust tips. Those new pipes have a hearty 3.5-inch diameter, further toughening up the GLB with a more throaty note.

The 10-spoke wheels are Brabus customs, available in 18-, 19-, and 20-inch fitments, and wrapped in either Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama rubber. And inside, there are new floor mats, aluminum pedals, light-up door sills, and even a trunk liner with appropriate Brabus branding.

But the biggest changes Brabus made are under the sheet metal. With a retuned ECU, the GLB 250 gets an extra 46 horsepower (34 kilowatts) and 59 pound-feet (80 Newton-meters). That brings the total output figure to 267 hp (200 kW) and 316 lb-ft (430 Nm). A new suspension setup drops the overall ride height by 1.2 inches – or an optional off-road option raises it by 1.4 inches. The only thing we don't know yet is price, but Brabus says that information should be available soon.