Porsche 992, Mercedes GLB And A35 AMG Take To Stuttgart’s Streets

A couple weeks ago, Carscoops reader Elena Pageon stumbled upon prototypes of the upcoming Mercedes-A35 AMG, Mercedes-Benz GLB and Porsche 911 testing in Stuttgart.

If you’re a fan of Mercedes-Benz or Porsche, the German city of Stuttgart is the place you want to go as prototypes from the automakers are frequently seen on local streets. These three prototypes are enough to get any enthusiast excited.

Starting with the baby of the trio, we have the A35. The hatchback will slot below the upcoming A45 in AMG’s range and directly rival the Audi S3 Sportback. Our sources tell us that it will utilize a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 295 hp (300 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque. Interestingly, this engine will reportedly be paired with EQ Boost technology, similar to what’s found in the E350 Coupe and Convertible.

Mercedes-AMG is expected to premiere the A35 at October’s 2018 Paris Auto Show.

As for the much-larger Mercedes-Benz GLB, it is one of the most interesting new vehicles coming from the German automaker. The compact crossover will slot between the GLA and GLC in the Mercedes range and have a much more boxy shape than either of them.

Underpinning the GLB will be the same architecture as the A-Class. Consequently, it will feature a similar interior and get largely the same engine options as the A-Class; GLB 35 and GLB 45 AMG models are also possible.

Last, but absolutely not least, is the 992-generation 911. The prototype snapped by Elena was painted black and still had some then camouflage across its exterior. Fortunately, other prototypes spied testing in recent weeks have shown the sports car completely undisguised. The styling changes over the current 911 aren’t drastic, but do result in an undeniably impressive looking bit of kit. The interior, on the other hand, is totally different from what we’ve come to expect from 911s to date, and the only resemblance will be the five-circle gauge cluster.

Mechanical changes between the 992 and the 991.2 remain a bit of a mystery. Unverified reports assert that the entry-level Carrera will feature a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged mill delivering 384 hp (390 PS), while the Carrera S might get a jump to 443 hp (450 PS).

Hat tip to Elena Pageon!