Even big luxury car manufacturers are turning their attention to compact crossovers. Mercedes-Benz also joins the trend and has launched a very exciting product – the GLA.
The GLA is heavily based on the A-Class, which was just launched in India. In fact the car looks much like a raised up hatchback. The engines are not new and have been seen before on older Mercedes cars. There is the familiar 156bhp 1.6-liter gasoline mill powering the GLA 200, along with a 211bhp 2.0-liter in the GLA 250. A 2.2-liter diesel with 136bhp will power the GLA 200 CDI, while a 170bhp 2.2-liter powers the GLA 220 CDI. Then for the sport hungry drivers there will also be a range topping GLA 45 AMG that is powered by a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine taken from the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG. The engine will be able to create 360bhp and will drive the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system via a dual-clutch, 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT gearbox – impressive stuff really.
The car will be available in European markets next year and we are sure to expect it in India soon after that.
