The new GLA will be the fifth - and smallest - crossover/ute in the Mercedes family.
Mercedes-Benz is adding yet another option to its alphanumeric soup of product offerings – this time with a crossover complement to the new compact CLA model.
No surprise, then, that the new utility vehicle will be dubbed the Mercedes-Benz GLA, a name the maker has done little to conceal in recent weeks. It’s the latest in a growing list of spin-offs from the maker’s new compact vehicle architecture.
No surprise, the GLA shares many of the same styling details we’ve already seen on both the new CLA model coming to the U.S. later this year and the A-Class offered in much of the rest of the world, including the grille and headlamp layout, the crisp silhouette angles and the horizontal taillamp design.
A concept version of the new soft-roader first appeared at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year. Set to make a formal appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, the production version of the Mercedes GLA will carry a 2015 designation and become the smallest of the German maker’s expanding line-up of crossover/utility vehicles notes Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President for Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Mercedes offered a first look at the GLA with a concept at this year's Shanghai Motor Show.
“With the compact GLA we add a fifth attractive SUV variant to the Mercedes-Benz model portfolio in this constantly growing segment. The GLA impresses mainly with its progressive character and agile handling,” notes Dr. Schmidt. “So I am very confident that the GLA with its fascinating design and high everyday practicality will fill many new customers with enthusiasm for the Mercedes-Benz brand.”
Mercedes’ first entry into the fast-growing compact SUV segment measures 173.9 inches in length, 71 inches in width and 58.8 inches in height. That is, by comparison, about 4.4 inches shorter, 1.4 inches narrower and 8.1 inches lower than the maker’s current GLK crossover.
The new 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLK class will, notably be the first of the maker’s models to offer the next-generation 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which will offer a new, fully variable torque distribution system.
Though designed with some off-road capabilities, the Mercedes GLA is more of a soft-roader.
The design is meant to give a sense of off-road capabilities with a low greenhouse, raised body and flared wheel arches, as well as the vertical front end. There’s also what the maker describes as a “simulated skid plate.”
“With its striking features, the GLA…enthralls with its off-road proportions, the clearly defined surfaces (meant to) convey power and serenity,” suggests Gorden Wagener, Vice President of Design for Mercedes’ parent Daimler AG.
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The new soft-roader is more of a flexible, around-town model than a true ute, Mercedes describing the new GLA as a “serene day-to-day companion” that will feature a flexible interior including fold-own backrests, a large luggage compartment with a low load floor and an optional, auto-opening tailgate.
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At least initially, Americans will be offered a single, 2.0-liter inline-four engine makers 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the engine features turbocharging and direct injection as well as a new ECO stop/start function to reduce the consumption of fuel normally wasted while idling. While the maker isn’t yet offering estimated mileage numbers it promises the GLA will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 in 6.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 145 mph.
Inside the new 2015 Mercedes GLA.
The new 4Matic option initially will direct torque to the rear wheels during take-off then shift power to the appropriate wheels to handle varying driving and road conditions.
The new Downhill Speed Regulation system will contribute to modest off-road capabilities that should satisfy most everyday driving needs.
As with other recent models, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA will feature an alphabet soup of safety features, such as ABS, ESP, BA – or Brake Assist – and Collision Prevention Assist which can detect a potential crash and automatically apply the brakes without driver intervention at speeds from 4 to 124 mph.
Motorists will also get the new mbrace2 multimedia system.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLA is set to reach U.S. showrooms in autumn 2014.