Mercedes-Benz’s GLA was presented for the first time in 2013 and has gone on to become a very popular luxury compact SUV of choice for local buyers. The German company has now introduced the new GLA with a variety of engines, targeted visual accentuation in the interior and exterior design, plus updated equipment lines.
Modified bumpers, additional light-alloy wheels and the new attractive colour “canyon beige” characterise the updated look of the 2017 version. The previous optional bi-xenon headlamps have made way for soft LED headlamps characterised by a colour temperature similar to daylight.
Valuable: Upgrade inside
The interior now features 360-degree cameras that records the direct surroundings of the car, which are either shown as a full-image depiction or in seven different split-screen views on the media display. New features are the upholstery colours for the Style and Urban design and equipment line as ARTICO man-made leather.
New structure: more variety on offer
The luxury Exclusive package supplements the previous Exclusive package with luxury seats featuring SUV-specific black leather in a buffalo look. The trim parts used here are a choice of trapezium-grain aluminium, light brown satin-finish poplar wood, plus high-gloss brown walnut. Especially exclusive: matt black ash wood or AMG trim parts in carbon fibre.
The previous Exclusive package with standard sports seats remains optionally available and is aimed at particularly sportily-oriented customers.
In future the Night package can also be combined with the Style design and equipment line. 18″ bichromatic light-alloy wheels, radiator louvres in high-gloss black, the black roof rails plus a black shoulderline trim strip, front and rear bumpers painted in high-gloss plus exterior mirror housings underscore the sporty look of the GLA in this case.
Spot on: LED light turns night into day
Available on request, the LED High Performance headlamps replace the current bi xenon headlamps. Alongside the brilliant illumination they are characterised by a colour temperature similar to daylight and relieve the strain on the eyes during journeys at night. The energy consumption is also lower: around 60 percent less than xenon and approx. 70 percent less than halogen. The low-beam headlamps configured with 34 watts works with LED projector-beam technology, the main beam with LED reflector technology. Indicators, daytime running lamps and position light are designed as multifunctional fibre-optic cables and enable an unmistakeable style through higher degrees of design freedom. Changing a bulb is no longer necessary over the entire lifetime of the car.
At the tail end of the new GLA LED High Performance headlamps with a multi-level function are used, and brake lights and indicators are controlled in three intensities. Full brightness by day, a medium level for driving during the night and a lower level when at a standstill during the night, so as not to dazzle other road users. With this multi-level function the GLA automatically offers the correct level of brightness for all light and weather conditions plus traffic situations. This light control is especially pleasant for other car drivers when stopping at traffic lights or in traffic jam situations, as they are met by a pleasant, dazzle-free brake and turn signal lamp.
Safety first: autonomous braking and warning about drowsiness
Vehicle safety is the top priority at Mercedes-Benz. The GLA has the “Active Brake Assist” as standard: it warns the driver if there is not sufficient distance to the vehicle in front and if required, delivers situation-appropriate braking. If the system detects that the driver is reacting too late, it initiates autonomous braking in order to prevent the collision or minimise the consequences. The GLA also has the “ATTENTION ASSIST” as standard: it can detect typical signs of drowsiness via the steering behaviour and warn the driver about an impending microsleep.
More comfort in the end
The rear compartment of the GLA was also the focus of the engineers’ attention, and they have integrated new features here: with the exclusive optional extra HANDS-FREE ACCESS, exclusive in this market segment, the boot lid can be opened and closed with a foot movement, without using the hands or touching a thing – accompanied by a warning signal. The procedure can be completed at any time and a potential obstacle also stops the process immediately. In conjunction with the stowage facility package the load compartment floor is lockable – the lock is integrated in the flipper handle and operated with a key.
Attractive price structure
Petrol models:
GLA 200 R485 400
GLA 250 4MATIC R654 700
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC R856 700
Diesel models:
GLA 200 d R513 000
GLA 220 d 4MATIC R592 500
The new Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC
Mercedes-AMG is continuing its model initiative with full steam ahead and is enhancing the GLA 45 4MATIC both visually and technically. With intelligent aerodynamic measures like the restyled front apron and the spoiler lip on the roof spoiler it was possible to increase driving dynamics and driving stability, yet wind resistance was simultaneously reduced. In spite of the sportily configured lift balance the cd value of 0.33 is lower than on the preceding model.
The characteristic distinguishing feature of the new Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC is the sharpened front section. The front apron was given an even more dynamic shape, new air intake grilles, a front splitter insert in silver chrome plus flics in high-gloss black. These guide the cooling air flows to the vehicle radiators even more effectively. Some earlier optional extras like the LED High Performance headlamps are now part of the standard host of equipment. The twin louvre on the AMG Twin Blade radiator grille is now in silver chrome, as are the inserts in the side sill panels. As an additional option a multi-spoke 20″ light-alloy wheel is available for selection in two colour variants: painted matt black with high-sheen rim flange or painted titanium grey with a high-sheen finish.
Eye-catching features at the tail end are the new diffuser insert in the rear apron, the trim in silver chrome and the new spoiler lip on the roof spoiler. It helps improve the driving dynamics of the new GLA 45 4MATIC.
Fine interior with exclusive touches
The interior has been similarly upgraded. The dashboard is covered as standard with ARTICO man-made leather and has been given exclusive highlights with red contrasting topstitching.
A further highlight is the generously sized trim, extending over virtually the entire width of the car: its fundamental structure is printed matt with a high-gloss surface and it bears AMG lettering. It is available in black/red (standard) or in black/silver (in conjunction with the Exclusive package). The vehicle key and the E-Select lever now bear the AMG emblem as standard.
The instrument cluster has been given a new number design and the speedometer is divided into 30 km/h stages. New needles with a black needle centre and the chrome frame around the gear display also ensure an autonomous cockpit experience.
Further options for comfort and sport
The new equipment items available on request include the keyless vehicle access HANDS-FREE ACCESS and the 360-degree camera: With the aid of four networked cameras this system facilitates parking and manoeuvring with a realistic all-round view.
the car and its surroundings can be depicted in the media display from a birds-eye view, and obstacles beneath the window line are also visible for the driver.
In conjunction with the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package (optional extra) the mechanical front axle locking differential is available. This package also includes the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, the performance steering wheel and the additional drive program “RACE”.
Agile 2.0-litre turbo engine
With a maximum output of 280 kW and 475 Nm maximum torque the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4MATIC is among the most powerful cars in its segment. A speed of 100 km/h is achieved from standstill after just 4.4 seconds. The extremely agile 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine blends its thrilling performance and the exemplary efficiency with a further best: the power-to-swept-volume ratio of 141 kW marks a record for a series engine with four cylinders.
With the optional AMG performance exhaust system the sound is even sportier through the modified structure of the muffler system and it thus intensifies the emotively appealing sound experience. It can be regulated via selection of the drive program or via a switch. In the interior the impressive sound can be experienced even more intensely at the touch of a button through the more powerful intake noise of the engine.
Shorter ratios: the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sport transmission
The agile and dynamic power transfer is assisted by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7 speed sports transmission. Thanks to the shorter ratios selected in gears three to seven the driver senses an even more emotively appealing acceleration experience in all speed ranges. Together with optimised response and shift times, the closer ratio spread ensures better transitions when upshifting.
Best traction as standard: AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive
For optimum traction even in poor road surface conditions the standard all-wheel drive AMG performance 4MATIC transfers the drive power to all wheels. The torque is steplessly variably distributed to the front and rear axle. This configuration results in an optimum ratio of dynamism, efficiency and traction to match the driving situation. A multiple-disc clutch integrated in the rear axle differential with AMG-specific control passes on the engine torque to the rear wheels in a flash should the front wheels lose traction. The spectrum ranges from purely front-wheel drive to the ratio of 50 to 50 percent to the front and rear wheels. With a fuel consumption of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined) Mercedes-AMG is at the same time reinforcing its pioneering role where efficiency is concerned.
Yellow Night Edition celebrates success of the AMG compact cars
With the A 45 4MATIC, CLA 45 4MATIC and GLA 45 4MATIC models Mercedes-AMG has tapped into new customer groups and spurred on the success of the sports car and performance brand. The Affalterbach company is now celebrating the best-sellers with an exclusive Yellow Night Edition, which is available for all four compact cars and includes a particularly sporty host of equipment.
The special models are painted exclusively in night black or cosmos black and with their unique combination of matt graphite grey and yellow appliqué sections they are immediately identifiable. The exclusive impression is underscored by the light-alloy wheels in matt black with yellow rim flanges and the black painted AMG twin louvre in the radiator grille. Yellow highlights characterise the front apron, the exterior mirror housings, the inserts in the side skirts, the rear diffuser and the rear wing (on the A 45 4MATIC and GLA 45 4MATIC).
The special character is additionally emphasised by the AMG sports stripes in matt graphite grey (foiled) on the bonnet, roof, boot lid and sides of the car.
High-quality interior with yellow highlights
The interior is also characterised by the extensive appointments and yellow touches. The AMG performance seats in ARTICO man-made leather/DINAMICA microfibre also sport yellow trim, as do the AMG performance sports steering wheel in DINAMICA, the rear bench seat, the dashboard, the beltlines (only on the CLA 45 4MATIC) and the armrests. Further highlights include the door sill panels in graphite grey with a yellow AMG logo, the floor mats with yellow edging, the AMG logo also in yellow, plus the yellow air outlets.
The extensive standard equipment of the Yellow Night Edition includes the Aerodynamics package, the Night package, the performance seats with a memory function plus the AMG performance steering wheel in black DINAMICA microfibre with a yellow 12 o’clock mark in nappa leather, steering wheel trim in silver chrome with an “AMG Edition” badge and yellow contrasting topstitching. On request the customer can also order the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package or enrich the Edition with other optional extras.
Yellow Night Edition across the range
All the prices at a glance:
A 45 4MATIC Yellow Night Edition R105 000 + R768 100
CLA 45 4MATIC Yellow Night Edition R105 000 + R874 500
GLA 45 4MATIC Yellow Night Edition R105 000 + R856 700
In other motoring related news, Ford recently made updates available to its popular Focus.
