Mercedes-Benz has unveiled today in Frankfurt the new GLA crossover. The German model was designed to compete against the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 and it seems to be an A-Class on steroids.
The first Mercedes-Benz in the fast-growing compact SUV segment is highly maneuverable around town (length x width x height 4,417 x 1,804 x 1,494 millimeters), lively on country roads and dynamic and efficient on the motorway.
The GLA is the first Mercedes-Benz SUV to be optionally available with the new-generation permanent all-wheel drive system 4MATIC, with fully variable torque distribution in the UK.
The GLA has a flexible and variable interior. The rear seat backrests can not only be folded down completely, but are also adjustable for angle if required. The generous luggage compartment (421 – 836 liters) is well-presented and can be loaded without difficulty thanks to the low sill and the wide tailgate, which opens automatically as an option.
Initially the power range of the 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines will extend from 156 hp in the GLA 200 to 211 hp in the GLA 250. The two diesel engines excel with dynamic torque and efficiency: The GLA 200 CDI develops 136 hp and maximum torque of 300 Nm and has a displacement of 2.2 liters. It emits only 114 g CO2 per kilometer (provisional figure). The GLA 220 CDI likewise has a displacement of 2.2 liters and develops 170 hp and 350 Nm.
All the engines feature the ECO start/stop function as standard. The engines are combined with a six-speed manual transmission or with the 7G-DCT dual clutch automatic transmission (standard for GLA 250, GLA 220 CDI and the 4MATIC models).
The chassis of the CLA features a MacPherson front axle and an independent multilink rear suspension. Three control arms and one trailing arm per wheel manage the incoming forces. This means that longitudinal and lateral dynamics are independent of one another. The wheel carriers and spring control arms are of aluminum to reduce the unstrung masses. In the versions with 4MATIC, the rear axle carrier is isolated with rubber bushings for the benefit of ride comfort.
