From teaser to official launch: The Mercedes-Benz GLA (w/VIDEO)

Yesterday we brought you a preview video for the new Mercedes-Benz GLA, but we didn’t have to wait long for the full reveal. This is it folks, the urban crossover version of the popular A-Class.

It’s Mercedes’ first offering in the fast-growing compact SUV segment, shouldering up to BMW’s X1, Audi’s Q3 and the Range Rover Evoque and just like Solihull’s finest Mercedes claim the GLA has impressive off-road capability when fitted with the new-generation 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive system.

The GLA can shuffle its torque between all four wheels, boosting agility and traction on a variety of surfaces, but unlike the Evoque, the GLA is better suited to light terrain, negotiating ‘modest’ gradients when aided by its Downhill Speed Regulation (DSR) system. Just like the more common Hill-Descent control, DSR is activated by a control button in the centre console, and assists the driver on demanding downhill stretches by maintaining a slow, manually selected vehicle speed within the physical limits of the descent.

Down Sizing

It’s easy to become detached from the reality of buying and owning cars when you’re merely ‘writing’ about them, so you might be excused for wondering what’s the point of a jacked up A-Class with the off-road potential of a small toy.

With the GLA, ML, GL and G, Mercedes now offers the widest SUV portfolio of any European premium manufacturer.

In reality ‘downsizing’ is changing the face of the car industry, while demand for an elevated driving position seems here to stay. Put those two together and you get the premium compact soft-roader which dominates the markets in Russia, China and much of Asia Pacific and represents a significant proportion of the growth here in Europe. Cars such a Nissan’s Qashqai and Juke and the Range Rover Evoque have become ubiquitous with the Qashqai overtaking VW’s Polo as sixth best selling car in the UK.

The A-Class has proven hugely popular, with sales including the B‑Class and CLA Coupé up 58% in Europe, and around 50% of these are conquests from other brands. But sometimes when trading down from a 3 Series even an A-Class can seem a step backward, hence the premium compact GLA – an in-between model, not so easily pigeon-holed and yet offering all the comforts of a 3 Series of C-Class for slightly less money.

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When the off-road mode is selected using the transmission mode switch, the gearshift points and accelerator characteristics are modified to suit the requirements of driving on ‘light’ off-road terrain and loose surfaces.

So, it’s a soft-roader, but is there anything wrong with that?

Mercedes are treading the middle-ground with a model which is both efficient on the motorway (Cd figure 0.29) and agile and fun on country roads. Top of the range (performance wise) is the GLA 250 4MATIC powered by a 208bhp 2-litre petrol engine with a healthy 258 lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds, offers a top speed of 145 mph and returns 39.7 mpg with emissions of 151 g/km of CO2.

There’s also the 168bhp GLA 220 CDI available in front-wheel drive and 4MATIC, while further front-wheel-drive models include the 154bhp 1.6-litre petrol GLA200 and 134bhp 1.8-litre turbodiesel GLA200 CDI. Mercedes claim the range’s lowest CO2 figure of 114 g/km for the 2.2-litre GLA 200 CDI which is also capable of 65mpg on the combined cycle.

Size is slightly longer, narrower and lower than the Concept GLA – at 4,417 x 1,804 x 1,494 millimetres – while luggage space is a generous 421 litres or 836 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The GLA’s chassis is a combination of MacPherson struts at the front with an independent multilink suspension at the rear. Three control arms and one trailing arm per wheel manage the incoming forces, which keep the longitudinal and lateral movements independent of each other. The wheel carriers and spring control arms are made from aluminium to reduce the unsprung masses.

Mercedes-GLA-official_G13

Mercedes claim an advantage over the steering systems of its competitors – the GLA’s electromechanical power steering is only servo-assisted when the vehicle is steered, resulting in better feedback and increased efficiency.

The GLA makes its debut at the Frankfurt motor show before going on sale in November 2013. First deliveries are expected early in 2014.

Written By

Steve Davies

Steve is an investor, private equity advisor and former Partner at KPMG, PwC and Bain. Most importantly he's a life-long car enthusiast, mountain biker and active sports enthusiast. He designs and builds technology platforms and is the architect behind Transmission.