Spotted by the walkoART YouTube page, the prototype GLB’s are still resplendent in their black-and-white masking, although some, like the model spotted at the Nürburgring in August, still sported pre-production body panels but with chrome door handles instead of the black grips seen until now.

Although the trailers could be seen as mainly testing out the GLB’s towing capabilities, what is notable is that the prototypes were pictured along with a hitched Volkswagen Tiguan, suggesting that the three-pointed star could be using the similarly sized SUV from Wolfsburg as a benchmark. Later on, the GLB was snapped minus the trailer, Tiguan and entourage of GLCs and C-class’, although with no new visible hints both front and rear.

While details of the GLB remain clouded, it is expected that the boxy styled SUV will make use of the same MFA2 front-wheel drive platform as the A-class  hatch, sedan and China specific A-class Sedan L, B-class, GLA, CLA and CLA Shooting Brake with some variants likely to have the option of 4Matic all-wheel drive.

Inside, the GLB will sport the same interior as the A-class complete with the MBUX infotainment system, while up front, motivation will come from the same range of turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel engines, some co-developed with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

In some markets, the GLB will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, though the majority will come with the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box as standard. Also unknown is whether the GLB could spawn a possible AMG derivative, but if so, it will more than likely receive the 224kW motor from the A35 and the rumoured 298kW four-pot from the forthcoming A45.

While it has been speculated that the GLB could premiere before the end of the year, it now looks more on the cards for an unveiling in early-2019.