More than a million Mercedes-Benz GLAs have been sold worldwide since their arrival in 2014, but the star brand knows it can do a lot better. So it made it more SUV and less crossover and gave it all the trump cards of the current generation of compact models, of which the GLA is the eighth and final element.
With the arrival of the GLA, the Mercedes-Benz family of compact models now has eight elements, with three different wheelbases, front or four-wheel drive and gasoline, diesel and hybrid engines.
Until now, it was little more than an A-Class "in tips", but in the new generation — which will be in Portugal at the end of April — the GLA has climbed a step to assume the status of an SUV that is really what customers are looking for ( in the United States, for example, the GLA only sells about 25,000 cars/year, about 1/3 of the registrations of a GLC or “leagues” of the half million Toyota RAV4 that circulate each year in that country).
Of course, Americans like big SUVs and Mercedes-Benz has several where they can disperse, but it is undeniable that the intention of the German brand was to “SUVize” the second generation of the GLA.
Also because, being a more European dimension of automobile, the disadvantage was clear for the direct rivals, the usual suspects: BMW X1 and Audi Q3, clearly taller and generating the much appreciated driving position with extended horizons and sense of security added for traveling “on the first floor”.
taller and wider
That's why the new Mercedes-Benz GLA got 10 cm (!) taller while widening the lanes — exterior width also increased by 3 cm — so that so much vertical growth wouldn't too negatively affect cornering stability. The length has even shrunk (1.4 cm) and the wheelbase has increased by 3 cm, to benefit from space in the second row of seats.
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As a sports car among Mercedes-Benz compact SUVs (the GLB is the most familiar, being longer and having a third row of seats, something unique in this class), the new GLA retains the lower rear pillar more Gradual, it reinforces the muscular look given by the broad shoulders in the posterior section and the creases in the bonnet that suggest power.
At the rear, the reflectors appear inserted in the bumper, below the luggage compartment whose volume has increased by 14 liters, to 435 liters, with the seat backs raised.
Then, it is possible to fold them in two asymmetrical parts (60:40) or, optionally, in 40:20:40, there is a tray on the floor that can be placed next to the base of the luggage compartment or in a higher position, in which it creates an almost completely flat cargo floor when the seats are reclined.
It should be noted that legroom in the second row of seats has been greatly expanded (by 11.5 cm because the rear seats have been moved further back without affecting the luggage compartment capacity, the greater height of the bodywork allows for this), when contrary to the height that descended 0.6 cm in these same places.
In the two front seats, what draws the most attention is the increase in available height and, above all, the driving position, which is an impressive 14 cm higher. “Command” position and good view of the road therefore assured.
Technology doesn't lack
In front of the driver is the well-known information and entertainment system MBUX, full of customization possibilities and with navigation functions in augmented reality that Mercedes-Benz has started to use with this electronic platform, in addition to the voice command system activated by the phrase “ Hey Mercedes”.
Digital instrumentation and infotainment monitors are like two tablets placed horizontally, one next to the other, with two dimensions available (7” or 10”).
Also known are the ventilation outlets with the appearance of turbines, as well as the driving mode selector, to emphasize comfort, efficiency or sporty behavior, depending on the moment and the preferences of those who drive.
Offroad with the new Mercedes-Benz GLA
In the four-wheel drive versions (4MATIC), the driving mode selector influences its response according to three mappings of the torque distribution: in “Eco/Comfort” the distribution is made in an 80:20 ratio (front axle: rear axle), in “Sport” it changes to 70:30 and in off-road mode, the clutch acts as a differential lock between the axles, with equal distribution, 50:50.
It should also be noted that these 4×4 versions (which use an electromechanical and not hydraulic system as in the previous generation, with advantages in terms of speed of action and superior control) always have the OffRoad Package, which includes a speed control system in steep descents (2 to 18 km/h), specific information about TT angles, body inclination, display of an animation that lets you understand the position of the GLA on the ground and, in combination with Multibeam LED headlamps, a special lighting function off-road.
As for the suspension, it is independent from all four wheels, using at the rear a sub-frame mounted with rubber bushings to minimize vibrations that are transferred to the body and cabin.
How much will it cost?
The engine range of the new GLA (which will be produced in Rastatt and Hambach, Germany and Beijing, for the Chinese market) is the familiar one in the Mercedes-Benz family of compact models. Petrol and Diesel, all four-cylinder, with the development of a plug-in hybrid variant being finalized, which should only be on the market for approximately one year.
On the entry step, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 200 will use the 1.33 liter gasoline engine with 163 hp for a price close to 40 000 euros (estimated). The top of the range will be occupied by the 306 hp AMG 35 4MATIC (around 70,000 euros).