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Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off its all-new, second-generation GLA small premium SUV.
Set to go on sale in the middle of 2020, the GLA is taller, wider but shorter than the outgoing model, measuring 4,410mm long, 1,834mm wide and 1,611mm in height. That means it’s 14mm shorter, 30mm wider and 104mm taller than its predecessor, while its wheelbase has grown by 30mm to 2,729mm.
Inside, besides the slightly disappointing rear headroom and front legroom, the new GLA is more spacious than before, with rear legroom growing by 116mm.
Mercedes expect the GLA to be one of its most popular compact models, trailing only the highly popular A-Class.
“The launch of the new GLA marks the culmination of a complete renewal of our family of compact cars,” said Daimler marketing and sales executive, Britta Seeger.
“The high demand for our SUVs shows that we can offer the right model for all of our customers here. Reflecting customer demand, these include two off-road models, the GLB and GLA, which complement each other perfectly: the GLB is the most functional and most spacious representative of our compact class family, while the new GLA is positioned as its sporty brother and as a lifestyle oriented SUV.”
Inside, two different screen sizes are on offer, with either a pair of 7-inch displays, or two 10.25-inch displays; both powered by Mercedes’ lauded MBUX system. There are also a colour head-up display and sat-nav with augmented reality amongst its goodies.
On the safety front, the available Driver Assistance Package brings Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, route-based speed adjustment, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function and Mercedes’ PRE-SAFE Plus system, amongst others.
A Car Wash function also makes its debut on the GLA. First seen on the GLS, it can fold the exterior mirrors, close all the windows and roof, while suppressing the windscreen wipers and switching the air-conditioning to re-circulating mode.
At launch, the GLA range will include the GLA 200, GLA 250, GLA 250 4MATIC, as well as the hot Mercedes-AMG GLA 35.
The entry-level GLA 200 uses a 1.33-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 120kW and 250Nm of torque that enables it to dash from 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds, while the GLA 250 and GLA 250 4MATIC are both powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 165kW and 350Nm of torque. Married to an eight-speed automatic, the GLA 250 needs 8.6 seconds to hit 100km/h.
Meanwhile, the GLA 35 gets a potent 225kW and 400Nm from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, dispatching the century sprint in 5.1 seconds.
