There are cars that make you feel sensible, cars that make you feel smug, and then there are cars like the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35. A curious concoction that makes you wonder if the engineers at Affalterbach were a little tipsy when they gave it the green light.

The GLB 35 on first glance looks like it’s wearing a suit two sizes too big. Tall, boxy, and unapologetically upright, it resembles a school bus that stumbled into a tuning shop. But underneath all that squared-off practicality lies a heart that beats with all the aggression of a caffeinated gym bro.

Power Meets Practicality

This isn’t some sticker pack with sporty pretensions. The GLB 35 has been given the full AMG once-over. It shares its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with the A35, which means a healthy 302bhp, an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, and 4MATIC all-wheel drive that can chuck 50 per cent of power to the rear when things get frisky.

Zero to 100km/h? 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy? Forget about it. This is a seven-seater SUV with the performance stats of a proper hot hatch. Bonkers.

In Comfort and Normal modes, the GLB 35 feels brisk enough, but flick it into Sport+ and it ditches its German stoicism for something far more theatrical. The throttle sharpens, the exhaust barks, and suddenly you’re being jostled by your own organs.

Yes, Sport+ is ridiculous. Yes, it firms up the dampers to the point of chiropractic intervention. But it’s also addictive. So much so that I ended up setting up an Individual mode with snow-optimised power settings and comfort suspension just to restore some sanity after a spirited B-road jaunt.

The Madness Is The Point

Step out of the car to get your organs reorganised, and you wonder how the GLB 35 can even work in the first place. It’s tall stance and 1.8-tonne kerb weight mean it was never destined for racetracks. And yet, once you’re behind the wheel, flicking through gears with a grin on your face, it all makes sense. Sort of.

It’s agile for what it is. Lithe, even. On tighter roads, you’ll find yourself pushing harder than you’d expect in something with room for seven souls and their assorted pets. But they may not appreciate your newfound enthusiasm. Expect groans, moans, and the occasional airborne child.

AMG Trimmings, All Present and Accounted For

To justify its AMG moniker, the GLB 35 is kitted out like a rock star on tour. 20-inch alloys, adaptive dampers, LED headlights, a Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, and the AMG Night Package, which blacks out the chrome in favour of a more menacing motif.

The pièce de résistance is the Panamericana grille vertical slats that pay homage to Mercedes’ 1950s racing heritage. It’s a striking look that gives the GLB the swagger it needs to wear its AMG badge with pride.

Room for Seven (ish)

Technically, yes, this is a seven-seater. Realistically, the last two seats are best left to the nimble, the small, or the vertically challenged. That said, cabin space is generous, and with the rear row folded, you’ll get 565 litres of boot space, perfect for IKEA hauls or emergency diaper stockpiles.

With all seats down, cargo capacity jumps to 1,800 litres. That’s enough to carry your regrets after signing the finance papers.

Rationality? That’s for Other People

It’s frankly absurd that a seven-seat SUV can sprint like a hot hatch and guzzle fuel like it’s 2006.

This car doesn’t exist for the spreadsheet types. It’s not for the people who count every penny or those who shop with calculators in hand. This is a car for the irrational, the impetuous, the ones who want to carry seven people and blow past a Golf GTI on the way to their children’s piano recital.

It’s not a car you need. But it’s a car you’ll want even if your wallet says otherwise.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-AMG GLB 35

Engine: 2-litre inline 4
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 302 bhp
Torque: 400 Nm
Gearbox: 8G-DCT AMG Speedshift
0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres 
Fuel Economy: 10.5 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$383,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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The SL nameplate from Mercedes-Benz still holds its own even to this day. Its bloodline started with the original 300SL in 1952, a post-war dogfighter that captivated eyes the world over with its signature gullwing doors and radical engineering. 

Its original ethos was being ‘sporty’ and ‘light’, two desirable traits that have in part been largely forgotten in the 21st-century technological arms race. This new model, now in its seventh iteration, aims to readdress this delicate sportscar balance.

We previously reviewed its bigger sibling, the SL55. This looks the same, but it houses a tinier 4-pot engine underneath, and it’s dubbed the Mercedes-AMG SL43.

Still looks nice, right?

But, this particular model raises an intriguing question: Can a four-cylinder engine truly power a sports car with a six-figure price tag?

Seriously, the engine is that small?

At first glance, the SL43 is easily mistaken for its more powerful siblings. The SL55 and SL63 models boast a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivering 469 and 577 horsepower, respectively.

The SL43, however, sports a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, churning out 375 horsepower. 

Still, it isn’t that slow. The SL63 rockets the century sprint in a blistering 3.0 seconds, thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. The SL43, in rear-drive only, takes a more leisurely 4.5 seconds to hit 100.

While the torque figure is decent at 480Nm, the small engine just cannot keep up with heavier throttle loads at lower RPMs, and the engine’s sound and response will leave you yearning for that V8.

This M139 engine variant introduces Formula 1-style anti-lag technology, with a small electric motor on the turbo’s shaft to boost performance when exhaust flow is low. Despite this tech, the engine can feel sluggish, igniting with an unrefined, almost flatulent roar at idle.

However, as the revs climb towards 2000RPM, the engine note matures into a more pleasing growl, hitting a snarl near the 7000RPM redline. Hence, to really enjoy this engine, Sport mode is preferred for longer gear holds and a more spirited drive, albeit less relaxed at low speeds.

So how can I drive this nicely?

When kept in the higher rev ranges, the SL43 shines. Sharing its platform with AMG’s GT sports car, the SL43’s chassis is a standout.

Steering is precise, handling stable, and it grips the road with tenacity. The five-link suspension minimises understeer, allowing the rear wheels to power through corners confidently. Strong brakes let you push the throttle longer, with minimal trail braking needed.

The lighter front end, devoid of a V-8 and all-wheel-drive components, responds swiftly to steering inputs, requiring only two turns from lock to lock.

Of course, since you’ll probably keep the engine howling throughout your fun shenanigans, fuel economy will take a big hit. Some spirited driving yielded an average of 7.4km/litre, so best to keep your fuel membership cards in the glovebox for easy access.

While its four-cylinder engine might not have the visceral growl of its V8 counterparts, it offers a unique driving experience in the AMG stable. Tame it well, and the Mercedes-AMG SL43 can shine amongst its peers too.

It does look rather nice actually

The SL43’s unique front fascia, single lower grille, and dual round exhaust tips set it apart from the SL55 and SL63, which sport distinct air inlets and multiple strakes on the rear diffuser.

Driving with the roof down in the SL43 is an attention-grabbing experience. Mercedes designers ensured the interior is as stylish as the exterior, with an aviation-inspired cabin featuring a central wing-like appendage flanked by four turbine air vents.

The new SL43’s fabric roof, replacing the old metal one, sheds 20 kilograms and employs electric motors instead of outdated hydraulics, enhancing both efficiency and noise insulation. With a quick press of the centre console button, touchscreen, or key fob, you can open or close the Z-fold roof design, letting you enjoy the open sky or a quieter ride.

The SL43’s interior is elegantly appointed with top-grade materials. The 11.9-inch portrait-style infotainment screen dominates the dashboard, offering crisply rendered graphics and multiple menus.

It takes a bit of time to master, but once you do, it’s decently intuitive.

This generation also marks the return of rear seats, a first since the 1989 R129 SL. These seats are quirky and compact, best for emergency rides or as extra storage, thanks to their V-shaped design.

Up front, the seats are spacious and comfortable, with heating, ventilation, adjustable bolsters, and a massage function. The Airscarf heating vent in the headrest keeps you warm even with the roof down.

The SL43 also offers a 240-litre boot, enough to fit a set of golf clubs, though its narrow aperture can make loading a challenge.

There is one problem, however.

And that is price. The Mercedes-AMG SL43 has a starting price of over $800 big ones (at the time of writing), so it doesn’t come cheap. 

Yes, it is cheaper than its V8 siblings, and unless you really need peak performance, the SL43 will deliver more than enough performance for most sunseekers.

It may be the most affordable Mercedes-AMG SL on the market today, but sinking that amount of cash into a lacklustre-engined car doesn’t quite sit right with me. On the other hand, calling it entry-level doesn’t give it enough credit for how good it is to drive.

It’s a catch-22 situation, but for the SL43, four cylinders just feel like four too few.

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-AMG SL43 AMG

Engine: 1,991cc 4-cylinder, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 480Nm
Gearbox: 9G AMG Speedshift MCT
0-100km/h: 4.9 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 275 km/h

Fuel Economy: 10.5 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$832,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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