Latest news with #GLB
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
GLB commission of inquiry into corruption is just for show, while solutions are readily available
Mike Moriarty | Published 56 minutes ago The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not fooled by the Committee of Inquiry set up by the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, into the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). Maile established this committee to obscure evident corruption that has escalated within the GLB for many years. The sins of the GLB are obvious, and the solution is readily available. GLB's incompetence can be addressed through retooling its business processes. Its corruption can be purged through forensic investigation and ruthless prosecution of those guilty. On Sunday, 15 June 2025, MEC Maile announced the appointment of a 15-member committee of inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). This committee has been tasked with probing allegations of corruption, bribery, and the long processing times for liquor licenses within the board. He also announced the dismissal of five GLB personnel. However, it is understood that these dismissals took place long before the announcement was made. In truth, the GLB is a small portion of what the Gauteng Provincial Government does. Its budget of R80 million is tiny compared to the overall budget of R1.6 billion in Maile's Department of Economic Development. This represents 5% of the department and is a minuscule portion, 0.046%, of the total provincial budget. Maile's actions are like trying to fasten a button with a sledgehammer. These committees are expensive, and previous ones have taken an unreasonably long time to achieve anything. Just like Makhura's e-tolls committee, and the committee that was headed by Trevor Fowler to look into the state of municipalities. These inquiries have a tendency of essentially achieve nothing at all. This committee is likely to take 10 months to do its work at an estimated cost of R6 million. If the solution is so simple, why has Maile set up this committee? He is merely trying to have the appearance of acting decisively. The MEC's move is fatally flawed for four reasons: Firstly, during the length of time it takes to do its work, the stealing within GLB will continue. Secondly, the exercise will cost a lot of money. Thirdly, the committee will be buried in an avalanche of complaints, allegations, and documents, while the real nuggets are hidden. Perhaps this is what Maile wants. Not all the perpetrators are his enemies. Any friends that he exposes could turn on him and his allies. Finally, the eventual report will cover so much ground that the real priorities will be difficult to identify. No sooner had the committee been identified than allegations emerged that various committee members are tainted in one way or another. One may validly query whether it is wise to appoint previous employees of the GLB, such as Mpho Mosing and Jennifer Rankeng. Fhedzisani Pandelani was a previous board chairperson. Ms Nalini Maharaj is a board member at the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), which is now also under scrutiny. If members of the committee were part of the problem, can they be part of the solution? But Maile already has information on the failings of the GLB. He has received adequate correspondence, a series of court actions, responded to various questions in the House, and hosted meetings where complainants and staff tabled grievances. Is he unable to comprehend the issues with the information he has? When the committee does get down to business, it will inevitably conclude the following: The application process is far from transparent. The much-vaunted online system is useless and costly. Once an application has been made on the system, the entire process thereafter is a manual one. The administration of the GLB is poorly managed. The process from beginning to end should take no longer than three months. However, most applications take longer than six months, while some have been outstanding for years. No one knows the actual size of the backlog. The board says one thing. The administration says another, and the applicants will tell you the full story. Objectors will advise that the Board does not make it easy to remain vigilant against undesirable liquor outlets. The GLB has a habit of bringing in arbitrary and unannounced changes. The GLB has been taken to court more often and has lost almost all the cases. The policy and legislation are overdue for review as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. Restaurants get licenses, and the owners then sell to others who convert the restaurant into a place of entertainment. These become incredible nuisances. The GLB website is a joke. Other provinces have websites that are far more informative about applications in process, hearing dates, and approved licenses. When the committee finalises its report, it will recommend the following actions: Forensic investigations should be conducted in various areas of the GLB's operations and the transactions that arose from these in the past seven years. The recommendations of the investigators should be implemented. Management and various members of the board should be replaced. Business process analysts should be brought in to recommend changes. There should be immediate changes to the tracking and reporting of GLB work, and these reports should be available publicly in a suitably summarised form. IT experts should be asked to make recommendations to overhaul the GLB website and the online system. Various policy amendments should be effected and implemented. Legislative processes should be initiated to amend the Gauteng Liquor Act and its regulations. The irony is that all of the above can be kick-started with immediate effect. If this were done, 10 months and R6 million could be saved. There is no logical reason to appoint this committee. Consequence management doesn't happen often enough. Apart from Maile's need to be seen to be taking action, the only explanation that makes sense is that various connected people, currently profiting from a corrupted system, will be shielded. Mike Moriarty MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
GLB commission of inquiry into corruption is just for show, while solutions are readily available
The sins of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB) are obvious, and the solution is readily available, says the writer. Image: Supplied The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not fooled by the Committee of Inquiry set up by the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, into the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). Maile established this committee to obscure evident corruption that has escalated within the GLB for many years. The sins of the GLB are obvious, and the solution is readily available. GLB's incompetence can be addressed through retooling its business processes. Its corruption can be purged through forensic investigation and ruthless prosecution of those guilty. On Sunday, 15 June 2025, MEC Maile announced the appointment of a 15-member committee of inquiry to investigate the affairs of the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB). This committee has been tasked with probing allegations of corruption, bribery, and the long processing times for liquor licenses within the board. He also announced the dismissal of five GLB personnel. However, it is understood that these dismissals took place long before the announcement was made. In truth, the GLB is a small portion of what the Gauteng Provincial Government does. Its budget of R80 million is tiny compared to the overall budget of R1.6 billion in Maile's Department of Economic Development. This represents 5% of the department and is a minuscule portion, 0.046%, of the total provincial budget. Maile's actions are like trying to fasten a button with a sledgehammer. These committees are expensive, and previous ones have taken an unreasonably long time to achieve anything. Just like Makhura's e-tolls committee, and the committee that was headed by Trevor Fowler to look into the state of municipalities. These inquiries have a tendency of essentially achieve nothing at all. This committee is likely to take 10 months to do its work at an estimated cost of R6 million. If the solution is so simple, why has Maile set up this committee? He is merely trying to have the appearance of acting decisively. The MEC's move is fatally flawed for four reasons: Firstly, during the length of time it takes to do its work, the stealing within GLB will continue. Secondly, the exercise will cost a lot of money. Thirdly, the committee will be buried in an avalanche of complaints, allegations, and documents, while the real nuggets are hidden. Perhaps this is what Maile wants. Not all the perpetrators are his enemies. Any friends that he exposes could turn on him and his allies. Finally, the eventual report will cover so much ground that the real priorities will be difficult to identify. No sooner had the committee been identified than allegations emerged that various committee members are tainted in one way or another. One may validly query whether it is wise to appoint previous employees of the GLB, such as Mpho Mosing and Jennifer Rankeng. Fhedzisani Pandelani was a previous board chairperson. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Ms Nalini Maharaj is a board member at the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB), which is now also under scrutiny. If members of the committee were part of the problem, can they be part of the solution? But Maile already has information on the failings of the GLB. He has received adequate correspondence, a series of court actions, responded to various questions in the House, and hosted meetings where complainants and staff tabled grievances. Is he unable to comprehend the issues with the information he has? When the committee does get down to business, it will inevitably conclude the following: The application process is far from transparent. The much-vaunted online system is useless and costly. Once an application has been made on the system, the entire process thereafter is a manual one. The administration of the GLB is poorly managed. The process from beginning to end should take no longer than three months. However, most applications take longer than six months, while some have been outstanding for years. No one knows the actual size of the backlog. The board says one thing. The administration says another, and the applicants will tell you the full story. Objectors will advise that the Board does not make it easy to remain vigilant against undesirable liquor outlets. The GLB has a habit of bringing in arbitrary and unannounced changes. The GLB has been taken to court more often and has lost almost all the cases. The policy and legislation are overdue for review as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. as they currently have major loopholes, permit unnecessary obstructions, and create a huge opportunity for bribery. Restaurants get licenses, and the owners then sell to others who convert the restaurant into a place of entertainment. These become incredible nuisances. The GLB website is a joke. Other provinces have websites that are far more informative about applications in process, hearing dates, and approved licenses. When the committee finalises its report, it will recommend the following actions: Forensic investigations should be conducted in various areas of the GLB's operations and the transactions that arose from these in the past seven years. The recommendations of the investigators should be implemented. Management and various members of the board should be replaced. Business process analysts should be brought in to recommend changes. There should be immediate changes to the tracking and reporting of GLB work, and these reports should be available publicly in a suitably summarised form. IT experts should be asked to make recommendations to overhaul the GLB website and the online system. Various policy amendments should be effected and implemented. Legislative processes should be initiated to amend the Gauteng Liquor Act and its regulations. The irony is that all of the above can be kick-started with immediate effect. If this were done, 10 months and R6 million could be saved. There is no logical reason to appoint this committee. Consequence management doesn't happen often enough. Apart from Maile's need to be seen to be taking action, the only explanation that makes sense is that various connected people, currently profiting from a corrupted system, will be shielded. Mike Moriarty MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development
The Advertiser
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Mercedes-Benz A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB special editions bring more kit for same cash
Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced special editions of some of its smallest and most affordable vehicles, bringing more equipment for no additional cost. The company says the Special Edition package adds as much as $4800 value in extras and is available on the A-Class sedan and hatch, CLA Coupe as well as the GLA and GLB SUVs. The Special Editions are on sale in Australia from today, July 9, 2025. The extras include Manufaktur Alpine Grey solid paint previously not available on any of the models chosen for the Special Edition treatment, as well as Manufaktur metallic paint options – usually $1600 or more – at no extra charge. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Adding to the exterior look is a Night Package, with visual elements including high-gloss black side skirts and exhaust tips, while AMG alloy wheels unique to the Special Editions are also standard. The A-Class and CLA-Class Special Edition are fitted with 19-inch 'five-twin-spoke' alloy wheels, while the GLA and GLB versions come with a 20-inch 10-spoke design. Cabin upgrades include contrasting grey stitching across the door trims, dash and seats – where there are matching grey seatbelts – while all '200' models come with a panoramic sunroof, which is already standard on 250 models. The Special Edition GLA gets light longitudinal-grain aluminum trim with the GLB gaining 'carbon-structure' interior finish. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz Content originally sourced from: Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced special editions of some of its smallest and most affordable vehicles, bringing more equipment for no additional cost. The company says the Special Edition package adds as much as $4800 value in extras and is available on the A-Class sedan and hatch, CLA Coupe as well as the GLA and GLB SUVs. The Special Editions are on sale in Australia from today, July 9, 2025. The extras include Manufaktur Alpine Grey solid paint previously not available on any of the models chosen for the Special Edition treatment, as well as Manufaktur metallic paint options – usually $1600 or more – at no extra charge. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Adding to the exterior look is a Night Package, with visual elements including high-gloss black side skirts and exhaust tips, while AMG alloy wheels unique to the Special Editions are also standard. The A-Class and CLA-Class Special Edition are fitted with 19-inch 'five-twin-spoke' alloy wheels, while the GLA and GLB versions come with a 20-inch 10-spoke design. Cabin upgrades include contrasting grey stitching across the door trims, dash and seats – where there are matching grey seatbelts – while all '200' models come with a panoramic sunroof, which is already standard on 250 models. The Special Edition GLA gets light longitudinal-grain aluminum trim with the GLB gaining 'carbon-structure' interior finish. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz Content originally sourced from: Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced special editions of some of its smallest and most affordable vehicles, bringing more equipment for no additional cost. The company says the Special Edition package adds as much as $4800 value in extras and is available on the A-Class sedan and hatch, CLA Coupe as well as the GLA and GLB SUVs. The Special Editions are on sale in Australia from today, July 9, 2025. The extras include Manufaktur Alpine Grey solid paint previously not available on any of the models chosen for the Special Edition treatment, as well as Manufaktur metallic paint options – usually $1600 or more – at no extra charge. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Adding to the exterior look is a Night Package, with visual elements including high-gloss black side skirts and exhaust tips, while AMG alloy wheels unique to the Special Editions are also standard. The A-Class and CLA-Class Special Edition are fitted with 19-inch 'five-twin-spoke' alloy wheels, while the GLA and GLB versions come with a 20-inch 10-spoke design. Cabin upgrades include contrasting grey stitching across the door trims, dash and seats – where there are matching grey seatbelts – while all '200' models come with a panoramic sunroof, which is already standard on 250 models. The Special Edition GLA gets light longitudinal-grain aluminum trim with the GLB gaining 'carbon-structure' interior finish. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz Content originally sourced from: Mercedes-Benz Australia has announced special editions of some of its smallest and most affordable vehicles, bringing more equipment for no additional cost. The company says the Special Edition package adds as much as $4800 value in extras and is available on the A-Class sedan and hatch, CLA Coupe as well as the GLA and GLB SUVs. The Special Editions are on sale in Australia from today, July 9, 2025. The extras include Manufaktur Alpine Grey solid paint previously not available on any of the models chosen for the Special Edition treatment, as well as Manufaktur metallic paint options – usually $1600 or more – at no extra charge. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Adding to the exterior look is a Night Package, with visual elements including high-gloss black side skirts and exhaust tips, while AMG alloy wheels unique to the Special Editions are also standard. The A-Class and CLA-Class Special Edition are fitted with 19-inch 'five-twin-spoke' alloy wheels, while the GLA and GLB versions come with a 20-inch 10-spoke design. Cabin upgrades include contrasting grey stitching across the door trims, dash and seats – where there are matching grey seatbelts – while all '200' models come with a panoramic sunroof, which is already standard on 250 models. The Special Edition GLA gets light longitudinal-grain aluminum trim with the GLB gaining 'carbon-structure' interior finish. MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz Content originally sourced from:
Canberra Times
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Canberra Times
Mercedes-Benz A-Class, CLA, GLA and GLB special editions bring more kit for same cash
The company says the Special Edition package adds as much as $4800 value in extras and is available on the A-Class sedan and hatch, CLA Coupe as well as the GLA and GLB SUVs.
The Advertiser
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
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'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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 Content originally sourced from: 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'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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 Content originally sourced from: 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'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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 Content originally sourced from: 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'. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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 Content originally sourced from:
