Mini G: New Mercedes SUV May Have Shrunken G-Class Styling

We doubt reports of Mercedes-Benz’s next SUV signal a 1/8th-scale model of the highfalutin G-Class, but we suspect Dr. Evil would call it a certain something if it did. Still, the German luxury brand’s next SUV could take cues from the iconic G-Class, according to a new report in Automotive News. Citing dealer meetings, the newspaper says the next SUV, dubbed the GLB-Class, will bear “baby G-Class” styling and slot between the subcompact GLA-Class and compact GLC-Class SUVs.

Related: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: The Most Luxurious Box in the World

The SUV will seat five standard but have an option that increases capacity to seven, according to Automotive News. It’s expected to hit dealers in late 2019 and will reportedly share underpinnings with the A-Class, a small sedan that will serve as the brand’s new entry point when it arrives later this year.

Asked to confirm the report, a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson did not respond to Cars.com. Dietmar Exler, head of Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. arm, reportedly told Automotive News that the A-Class joins a wave of new or redesigned products set to debut every two months over the next few years. That would be a furious pace for a full-line brand like Chevrolet or Toyota, let alone a smaller luxury brand like Mercedes.

GLB or otherwise, Mercedes fans can expect a lot of new products around the corner. Alas, they won’t include a 1/8th-scale model of any current Benz. You can buy the G-Class at that scale — lengthwise, anyway — but we hear it’s kind of slow.

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