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Mercedes-Benz dealers are now accepting orders for the new GLB, a seven-seat compact SUV that sits beneath the GLC.

The new car is priced from £34,200 and will be on the road by the end of the year.

Three powertrains are offered at launch and the line-up starts with the petrol-powered GLB 200. It develops 163PS and promises fuel economy of 47.1mpg.

The GLB 200d - available from £36,800 - generates 150PS. Front-wheel-drive versions emit 133g/km and return 51.4mpg. It is also offered with all-wheel-drive, giving emissions of 145g/km.

Range-topping GLB 220 d 4Matic models (from £42,950) are powered by a 190PS diesel engine. Fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures for this engine are 51.4mpg and 146g/km.

Both diesels are RDE2 compliant and therefore don't atract the 4% diesel surcharge for company car drivers.

A seven-speed DCT is standard on the petrol model, while an eight-speed version is fitted to the diesels.

Entry-level Sport trim is only available in the GLB 200. It comes well equipped as standard, with 18-inch alloy wheels, four driving modes, LED headlights and tail lights, reversing camera, climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry and Artico man-made leather upholstery.

A seven-inch digital cockpit display and seven-inch touchscreen media display with the MBUX multimedia system also features.

AMG Line (+£1,500) adds 19-inch five-twin-spoke alloy wheels and AMG bodystyling, plus privacy glass and Artico and Dinamica microfibre upholstery.

AMG Line Premium models (+£3,000) feature 64-colour ambient lighting, automatically folding exterior mirrors, Augmented Reality navigation and a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display and 10.25-inch digital cockpit display.

The range-topping GLB AMG Line Premium Plus (+£3,000) includes Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, panoramic sunroof, Driving Assistance pack and Traffic Sign Assist.

Buyers can specify a five-seat option on the GLB 220d AMG Line Premium only, it costs £42,200 a saving of £700 over the seven-seat version.

All-wheel-drive (4Matic) is only available on diesel versions in AMG Line Premium and above.